Sonowal hails Asmita Dey's gold in Women's 48kg Judo at CWG 2026
Synopsis
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal hailed Asmita Dey's gold medal in the Women's 48kg Judo Final at CWG 2026 on July 31, calling it a triumph of India's Nari Shakti and a boost for judo's growth across the country.
Key Takeaways
Asmita Dey won gold in the Women's 48kg Judo Final at CWG 2026 .
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal publicly congratulated Dey on July 31, 2026 .
Sonowal framed the win as an expression of India's Nari Shakti — women's power and resilience.
The minister expressed hope the gold would make judo more popular across India.
The win adds to India's medal tally in non-cricket disciplines at the Commonwealth Games.
A judoka from India has climbed to the top of the podium at the Commonwealth Games. Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Friday, July 31 congratulated Asmita Dey on winning the gold medal in the Women's 48kg Judo Final at #CWG2026, calling it 'a victory etched in sporting glory.'
Sonowal's post described the win as 'yet another showcase of the grit and power of India's Nari Shakti' — invoking the phrase that has become a recurring motif in government communication around women's achievement in sport and public life. He added that the gold would 'contribute towards Judo becoming even more popular across the nation.'
A mat moment that echoes beyond the arena
Judo has long sat in cricket's shadow in India, drawing modest grassroots attention despite producing competitive athletes on the international circuit. A gold at the Commonwealth Games — one of the highest-profile multi-sport events for Indian athletes — can shift that calculus. When a politician of Sonowal's stature publicly links a judo win to national pride and the growth of the sport, it signals a moment the judo community will want to build on. Sonowal, a senior BJP leader and former Chief Minister of Assam, has been a consistent voice on the ministry beat but uses his platform to amplify sporting milestones — particularly those involving women athletes. The 'Nari Shakti' framing connects Dey's win to a broader government narrative around women's empowerment that spans schemes, policy and now, the podium.India's women athletes and the CWG gold standard
For Indian women in combat sports, Commonwealth Games medals have historically served as a springboard — to Olympic qualification cycles, to central government sports funding, and to visibility in a media landscape that rarely leads with judo. Dey's gold in the 48kg category, the lightest weight class in women's judo, is the kind of result that can anchor a career and inspire the next generation of players from smaller towns and states. India's overall medal performance at CWG 2026 will be closely tracked, and wins in non-cricket disciplines — especially by women — add both depth and narrative to the country's sporting story. The mat delivered. Now the system must follow through.Point of View
But public statements like this have historically preceded — or been used to justify — incremental government support for niche sports federations.
NationPress
31 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did India win in judo at CWG 2026?
India won a gold medal in the Women's 48kg Judo Final at CWG 2026, with Asmita Dey representing the country on the top step of the podium.
What is Nari Shakti and why did Sonowal use it?
Nari Shakti, meaning 'women's power,' is a phrase widely used by the Indian government to celebrate women's achievements. Sonowal used it to frame Asmita Dey's gold medal as a symbol of Indian women's strength and determination.
Who is Sarbananda Sonowal?
Sarbananda Sonowal is the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, a senior BJP leader, and a former Chief Minister of Assam. He congratulated Asmita Dey on her CWG 2026 judo gold on July 31.
How does a CWG gold medal help Indian judo?
A Commonwealth Games gold medal raises the profile of judo in India, potentially attracting more grassroots participation, media attention, and government sports funding for a discipline that has historically been overshadowed by cricket.
