Ashmita Dey, from childhood hardship to Commonwealth gold, heads to 2026 Asian Games with India’s 32-year judo wait

Ashmita Dey became the first Indian judoka to win Commonwealth Games gold and now heads into the 2026 Asian Games.

She grew up amid food shortages, experienced a pawned gold earring and lost her father before the Commonwealth Games.

Dey has battled financial hardship, injury and grief, and is now a DSP in the Uttar Pradesh Police.

She faces a strong Asian field and India’s 32-year wait for another judo medal at the Asian Games.