CWG 2026: India's Medal Tally Hits 19 as Judokas Strike Gold, Five Boxers Reach Finals

Friday belonged to India. It was a day of gold, grit and growing belief.

India enjoyed one of its finest days at the Commonwealth Games 2026 as Asmita Dey and Harsh Singh scripted history in judo, while the country's boxers continued their domination by sending five more athletes into gold-medal bouts.

By the end of the day, India's medal tally had climbed to 19 medals—including five golds—with the promise of more to come.

The biggest breakthrough came on the judo mat. Asmita Dey became the first Indian judoka to win Commonwealth Games gold, edging Canada's Heidi Quach in a nerve-racking women's 48kg final that was decided in Golden Score.

Hours later, Harsh Singh ensured it wasn't a one-off. The Indian defeated Australia's Joshua Katz in the men's 60kg final to complete a remarkable golden double, giving India its second judo title of the Games and capping a historic day for the sport.

If judo delivered history, boxing delivered dominance.

India will now have five boxers fighting for gold, underlining its emergence as one of the strongest boxing nations at the Games.

World champion Jaismine Lamboria produced another statement performance, forcing a referee stoppage against Lesotho's Rapelang Maselela to book her place in the women's 57kg final.

Preeti Pawar outclassed Zambia's Catherine Mwape to enter the women's 54kg title clash, while Arundhati Choudhary stunned defending champion Rosie Eccles of Wales to reach the women's 70kg final.

In the men's events, Ankush Panghal comfortably defeated Canada's Joshua Ofori to qualify for the 80kg final, while Jadumani Singh extended his unbeaten run in Glasgow with another unanimous-decision victory to seal his place in the men's 55kg gold-medal bout.

With two new gold medals and five more athletes now guaranteed at least silver, India's campaign gathered fresh momentum as Glasgow moved towards its decisive weekend.

ASMITA DEY's GOLD CAME WITH A TEARFUL TRIBUTE TO HER FATHER

Dey's greatest victory wasn't followed by celebration alone.

Moments after becoming India's first-ever Commonwealth Games judo champion, the 48kg gold medallist dedicated her triumph to her coach before remembering the man she wished had been there to see it—her father.

"It feels very good. This is my first Commonwealth Games, and I have won a gold medal," she said.

Then her voice turned emotional.

For months, Dey questioned whether she could continue. But just two months later, she topped the national trials for the Asian Games—a performance that restored her confidence and convinced her to keep chasing her dream. That journey reached its defining moment in Glasgow.

After falling behind against Canada's Heidi Quach in the final, Dey fought back to force the contest into Golden Score before producing the decisive throw that secured India's first judo gold medal at the Commonwealth Games.

"I dedicate this medal to my coach, my country, my police department, my state... and to everyone who stood by me," she said.

On a day when India celebrated one of its biggest medal hauls of the Games, Dey's victory stood out not just because it made history—but because it carried the weight of a promise she refused to let die.

(With inputs from ANI)