Rijiju hails Unnati Sharma's bronze in CWG 2026 judo
Synopsis
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju praised judoka Unnati Sharma for winning bronze in the Women's -63 kg event at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, calling her podium journey 'a story of courage and perseverance' that has made Bharat proud.
Key Takeaways
Unnati Sharma won a bronze medal in the Women's -63 kg Judo event at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games .
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju publicly congratulated Sharma on Sunday, August 2, 2026 .
Rijiju described her journey as 'a story of courage and perseverance.' The medal adds to India's tally at the Glasgow 2026 multi-sport Games hosted in Scotland .
Rijiju serves as Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minister of Minority Affairs and is a senior BJP leader from Arunachal Pradesh .
A bronze medal in the Women's -63 kg Judo event at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games — and Unnati Sharma has put India on the podium. Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju was among the first to salute the achievement, calling her journey 'a story of courage and perseverance.'
From the mat in Glasgow to a nation's applause
Sharma's bronze adds to India's growing medal count at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, the multi-sport showpiece hosted by Glasgow, Scotland. Judo's weight-category format demands not just raw strength but tactical discipline across multiple bouts in a single day — making a podium finish at a Commonwealth Games a genuine test of an athlete's depth and nerve. Rijiju, posting on Sunday, August 2, 2026, wrote: 'Unnati Sharma, your journey to the podium is a story of courage and perseverance. Congratulations on winning the Bronze Medal in the Women's -63 kg Judo event at the #Glasgow2026 Commonwealth Games. A wonderful achievement that has made Bharat proud!'Rijiju's role as India's sporting conscience
Kiren Rijiju, the senior BJP leader from Arunachal Pradesh currently serving as Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minister of Minority Affairs, has long been one of India's most visible political voices on sport. His acknowledgment of individual athletes — particularly those from disciplines outside cricket — reflects a broader political recognition that India's medal haul at multi-sport events is now wide enough to demand attention across weight categories, combat sports, and niche disciplines. For a judoka, recognition from a Union Minister on a national platform carries weight well beyond a social media post. It signals institutional visibility for a sport that rarely commands prime-time attention back home.Point of View
Ministerial visibility can translate into institutional support, sponsorship attention, and grassroots recruitment. The post also reinforces Rijiju's long-standing personal brand as a politician closely identified with Indian sport.
NationPress
2 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Unnati Sharma in judo?
Unnati Sharma is an Indian judoka who won a bronze medal in the Women's -63 kg category at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
What did India win in judo at CWG 2026?
India's Unnati Sharma won a bronze medal in the Women's -63 kg Judo event at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
What did Kiren Rijiju say about Unnati Sharma?
Kiren Rijiju called Unnati Sharma's journey to the podium 'a story of courage and perseverance' and congratulated her on making Bharat proud.
Where are the 2026 Commonwealth Games being held?
The 2026 Commonwealth Games are being hosted in Glasgow, Scotland.
Who is Kiren Rijiju?
Kiren Rijiju is a senior BJP leader from Arunachal Pradesh serving as India's Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minister of Minority Affairs.
