Judo has quietly become one of the most talked-about stories at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. India made history on July 31, claiming three medals on a single day, including the country’s first-ever CWG gold in the sport — a breakthrough moment for a discipline most Indian fans still barely understand.
India’s Historic Day
Asmita Dey became India’s first-ever CWG gold medallist in judo, defeating Canada’s Heidi Quach in the women’s 48kg final. Harsh Singh followed with a second gold in the men’s 60kg category, beating Australia’s Joshua Katz, while Yamini Mourya added a hard-fought silver in the women’s 57kg event.
What Exactly Is Judo?
Created in 1882 by Japanese educator Kano Jigoro, judo literally translates to “the gentle way,” though the sport is anything but gentle in practice. Punching, kicking and striking are strictly forbidden; instead, judokas rely on technique, leverage and balance to throw, pin or submit opponents using chokeholds and joint locks.
How Scoring Works
| Score | How It’s Earned |
|---|---|
| Ippon (Full Point) | Clean throw on the back, 20-second pin, or submission — ends the match instantly |
| Waza-ari (Half Point) | Incomplete throw or 10-19 second pin; two equal an Ippon |
| Yuko (Quarter Point) | Minor throw or 5-9 second pin |
| Shido (Penalty) | Passivity, illegal grips, or stepping out; three lead to disqualification |
A Sport Steeped in Tradition
Referee commands remain entirely in Japanese, including Hajime (begin), Matte (stop), and Rei (bow), reflecting judo’s deep cultural roots. The sport made its Commonwealth Games debut as a demonstration event at Edinburgh 1986 before becoming a mandatory discipline from Birmingham 2022 onward.
Why It Matters
With India already producing medal-winning judokas at just the second edition of mandatory judo competition, the sport’s future on the Indian sporting landscape looks brighter than ever. Full event schedules are available on the official Commonwealth Games Federation website.
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