Shivraj hails Asmita Dey's historic CWG judo gold
Synopsis
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan hailed Asmita Dey as the first Indian judoka to win a Commonwealth Games gold medal, celebrating her Women's 48kg victory at CWG2026 as a historic milestone for Indian sport.
Key Takeaways
Asmita Dey became the first-ever Indian judoka to win a Commonwealth Games gold medal .
The victory came in the Women's 48kg final at #CWG2026 .
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan posted his congratulations on 31 July 2026 .
Chouhan described the achievement as 'a golden chapter in Indian Judo.' The milestone marks a breakthrough for Indian judo, a discipline historically overshadowed in the country's sporting spotlight.
A golden chapter just opened in Indian sport. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday, 31 July 2026 celebrated Asmita Dey as the first Indian judoka ever to win a Commonwealth Games gold medal, saluting her triumph in the Women's 48kg final at #CWG2026.
Chouhan called it 'a golden chapter in Indian Judo,' offering his 'heartiest congratulations' and declaring that Dey has 'etched your name in the history of Indian sport and inspired an entire generation of aspiring athletes.' The minister added that 'the nation celebrates this remarkable achievement and takes immense pride in your historic feat.'
India's first-ever judo gold at the Commonwealth Games
For a discipline that has long toiled in the shadow of cricket and the marquee track-and-field events, Dey's gold is a landmark moment. Judo has been part of India's Commonwealth Games programme for years, yet no Indian judoka had stood on the top step of the podium — until now. The Women's 48kg category, the lightest weight class in women's judo, demands explosive technique and razor-sharp timing, and Dey delivered a 'spectacular triumph' to claim the title.Ministers, milestones, and the push beyond cricket
Union ministers routinely amplify individual sporting milestones on social media, a practice that has grown more deliberate as successive administrations have sought to broaden India's sporting identity beyond cricket. Chouhan — a senior BJP leader and former four-term Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh — added his voice to what is likely to be a wave of official recognition for Dey's achievement. Whether that recognition translates into formal government honours or dedicated support for Indian judo's development pipeline will be worth watching in the days ahead. For now, one image endures: an Indian judoka on the highest step of a Commonwealth Games podium, a gold medal around her neck, and a nation that did not see it coming cheering all the louder for the surprise.Point of View
Even if the structural investment in non-cricket disciplines remains uneven. Chouhan's post, coming from the Agriculture Ministry rather than Sports, underscores how cross-government enthusiasm for athletic milestones has become standard political currency. The real test will be whether this celebratory moment translates into sustained funding and institutional support for Indian judo.
NationPress
31 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Asmita Dey win at CWG2026?
Asmita Dey won the gold medal in the Women's 48kg judo final at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, a historic first for Indian judo at the event.
Why is Asmita Dey's CWG gold historic?
No Indian judoka had ever won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games before Asmita Dey's victory at CWG2026, making her achievement a landmark moment in Indian sporting history.
What did Shivraj Singh Chouhan say about Asmita Dey?
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan called her win 'a golden chapter in Indian Judo,' saying she has 'etched your name in the history of Indian sport and inspired an entire generation of aspiring athletes.'
