CM Bhajan Lal Hails India's Double Judo Gold at CWG 2026
Synopsis
Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma congratulated Asmita De and Harsh Singh on winning gold medals in women's 48 kg and men's 60 kg judo respectively at Commonwealth Games 2026, calling the wins historic and a new chapter for Indian judo.
Key Takeaways
Asmita De won gold in the women's judo 48 kg category at Commonwealth Games 2026 in Victoria, Australia .
Harsh Singh claimed gold in the men's judo 60 kg final at the same event.
Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma publicly congratulated both athletes on 31 July 2026 .
CM Sharma described the victories as 'historic' and said they would inspire India's youth and elevate judo's profile in the country.
India's Khelo India programme, active since 2017 , aims to develop grassroots talent across non-mainstream sports including judo.
Two Indian judokas stepped onto the Commonwealth Games podium and claimed gold — and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma was among the first to mark the moment for the nation.
In a post on X on 31 July 2026, CM Sharma extended warm congratulations to Asmita De, who won gold in the women's judo 48 kg category at Commonwealth Games 2026, and to Harsh Singh, who claimed the top prize in the men's judo 60 kg final. Writing in Hindi, he called the wins 'historic' — 'यह ऐतिहासिक जीत' ['this historic victory'] — and expressed confidence that the double gold would inspire countless young Indians to pursue the sport.
A Niche Sport Finds Its Moment
Judo has long occupied the margins of India's sporting imagination, overshadowed by cricket and, more recently, wrestling and badminton. Back-to-back gold medals in a single day at a major multi-sport event are exactly the kind of result that can shift that calculus. CM Sharma noted that the victories would give judo 'a new identity in India' — a pointed acknowledgement that the discipline is still building its audience at home even as its athletes perform on the world stage. The Commonwealth Games 2026, hosted in Victoria, Australia, have provided India with a platform to push beyond its traditional medal-heavy disciplines. Political leaders across the spectrum have used such moments to amplify national pride and signal support for athletes competing in less-celebrated sports — a pattern that runs alongside the central government's Khelo India programme, launched in 2017 to identify and nurture grassroots sporting talent across disciplines.What the Recognition Signals for Young Athletes
Public congratulations from a sitting chief minister carry weight beyond ceremony. For young judokas in states like Rajasthan — where infrastructure for combat sports is limited — visibility from senior political figures can translate into institutional attention, funding conversations, and recruitment into state sports academies. CM Sharma closed his message with wishes for the athletes' 'bright futures and upcoming competitions,' framing the CWG gold not as an endpoint but as a launchpad. India's broader performance across remaining judo categories and other sports at CWG 2026 will determine whether this double-gold moment becomes part of a larger medal story — or stands as a striking, isolated peak. Either way, Asmita De and Harsh Singh have already written their names into Indian judo history.Point of View
And political endorsement can translate into tangible state-level support for a discipline that still lacks deep infrastructure. The shout-out also aligns with BJP's broader effort to position the party as a champion of non-cricket sporting achievement, reinforcing the Khelo India brand at the state level. Whether this moment catalyses real investment in judo academies or remains a social-media gesture will be the real test.
NationPress
1 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Asmita De and what did she win at CWG 2026?
Asmita De is an Indian judoka who won a gold medal in the women's 48 kg category at the Commonwealth Games 2026 held in Victoria, Australia.
Who is Harsh Singh and what did he win at CWG 2026?
Harsh Singh is an Indian judoka who won a gold medal in the men's 60 kg final at the Commonwealth Games 2026 .
What did Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma say about the CWG judo wins?
CM Bhajan Lal Sharma called the victories 'historic' and said they would inspire India's youth and give judo a new identity in the country.
Where are the Commonwealth Games 2026 being held?
The Commonwealth Games 2026 are being held in Victoria, Australia .
What is the Khelo India programme?
Khelo India is a central government initiative launched in 2017 to promote grassroots sports development and identify talent across disciplines in India, including combat sports like judo.
