Judokas eye Asian Games, Olympics glory after CWG’s historic campaign

New Delhi [India], August 4 (ANI): Indian judoka Harsh Singh described his Commonwealth Games 2026 gold medal as a dream achievement, saying the joy of becoming champion only truly sank in after his victory.

Despite reaching the top of the podium, he said his ambitions remain higher, with the Asian Games as his immediate focus and an Olympic medal as his ultimate goal. milkshake.it.com

Indian Judo contingent delivered a fantastic performance at the CWG 2026 in Glasgow, with four medals, including a silver medal, a bronze medal, and two history-making gold medals by Harsh Singh and Asmita Dey.

Harsh Singh won India’s historic gold in the men’s 60 kg judo event, defeating Australia’s Joshua Katz by Waza-Ari (10-0) in a commanding final.

“I feel very special and incredibly happy to have won this gold medal. It is an amazing feeling, and I was overwhelmed with joy after winning the final. It took a little while for the achievement to truly sink in, and only then did I realise I had become a Commonwealth Games champion. While this medal is a proud moment, my ultimate dream is to win an Olympic medal. Before that, my immediate focus is on performing well at the Asian Games and taking another step towards that goal," Harsh Singh told ANI.

Judo women’s 57kg silver medallist Yamini Mourya expressed pride in her Commonwealth Games medal and said India’s historic first judo gold has inspired her to aim for the top podium in the future.

She acknowledged the rising level of competition, stressed the need to train harder, and said Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya’s message about self-belief, fearless competition and putting the nation first had motivated the team.

Mourya secured a silver medal in the women’s 57kg category at the Commonwealth Games 2026 after a closely contested final against England’s Acelya Toprak ended in defeat on Friday.

“I am proud to have won a silver medal in judo. It is also a historic moment for Indian judo, as we won our first-ever Commonwealth Games gold in the sport. Seeing that achievement has motivated me even more, and next time I want to win a gold medal as well," Mourya told ANI.

“The competition is becoming tougher every day, so we know we have to train even harder. The Sports Minister told us that victory begins from within, we must believe in ourselves, compete without fear and always put the nation first. When you know the entire country is behind you, it gives you the confidence to perform and win for India," she added.

Judoka Unnati Sharma also expressed delight after winning the Commonwealth Games bronze medal, saying Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya’s encouragement and emphasis on fearless competition and putting the nation first inspired the team.

She also stressed that her ultimate goal is to qualify for the Los Angeles Olympics and represent India on the biggest stage. Sharma claimed the bronze medal after producing a superb Ippon victory over South Africa’s Skye Knoester in the bronze-medal contest.

“I am happy to have won the bronze medal after defeating South Africa’s Skye Knoester. We met the Sports Minister today, and he welcomed us warmly with bouquets and prize money. His words were very encouraging and motivating. He reminded us to always put the nation first, to remember the millions of Indians who support us from back home, and to play without fear, knowing the entire country is behind us. Looking ahead, my biggest goal is to qualify for the Los Angeles Olympics, and I will continue training hard to earn my place and represent India on that stage," Sharma told ANI.

India participated in 12 judo events in Glasgow and won four medals, two gold, one silver and one bronze, compared to three medals, with no gold, in 2022. The breakthrough was led by Asmita Dey and Harsh Singh, who created history by winning India’s first-ever Commonwealth Games gold medals in judo.

Asmita became the first Indian woman judoka to win Commonwealth Games gold, while Harsh became the first Indian male judoka to achieve the feat. (ANI)

(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)

Carlos Alcaraz has officially withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open due to an ongoing wrist injury, raising concerns about his chances of successfully defending his US Open title. This absence not only jeopardizes his ranking points but also limits his preparation on hard courts. Having already missed two Grand Slam events this season, Alcaraz now finds himself at World Number three in the ATP rankings.

India and Mumbai Indians star batter Tilak Varma has set social media abuzz once again, thanks to his latest post. The 23-year-old southpaw shared this shirtless picture, displaying his washboard abs, with his 6.3 million Instagram followers, who showered him with praise. “This pic should be a magazine cover,” wrote one of his followers, while another commented: “Pure perfection right there,” and a third called him: “Smokin’ hot.” Varma recently featured in India’s 3-0 T20I series win over Zimbabwe, where he scored a match-winning 60 not out in the second game. Interestingly, he was not dismissed throughout the series.

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Exactly two years ago, in the very same month of August, Arshad Nadeem stunned the world. With two throws of over 90 metres in six attempts in Paris, he dethroned Neeraj Chopra and created a massive stir. While Neeraj had to settle for silver, Arshad won Olympic gold for Pakistan, in what was perhaps the greatest moment in the country’s sporting history.

Two years later, Arshad is struggling. He has been unable to produce anything of note and is clearly an athlete trying desperately to rediscover his touch. It is reflective of a deeper crisis in Pakistan sport – a crisis that now appears all-pervasive. Their men’s and women’s cricket teams are a pale shadow of what they once were. The hockey team, once a formidable force, has lost its sheen. Arshad is a pale shadow of the athlete we saw in Paris, and there is little else to celebrate.

On the day of the javelin qualifiers, a Pakistani journalist walked up to Arshad and, during an interview in the mixed zone, asked him to introduce himself to the viewers. Imagine an Indian journalist asking Neeraj to introduce himself before answering a question. Arshad is arguably Pakistan’s greatest-ever athlete – an Olympic gold medallist, for goodness’ sake. If he has to introduce himself while competing at the Commonwealth Games, there is something seriously wrong with the country’s sporting ecosystem.

I am conscious that I will be criticised for writing this piece and told off by some in Pakistan because I am an Indian. But I am not writing this as an Indian journalist. I am writing it as a sports analyst. The truth is that, in Paris, Arshad left us all in awe. It was one of the finest performances of the Games, and watching him throw beyond 93 metres was extraordinary. The subsequent decline has been equally striking.

What makes Neeraj the athlete he is, however, is his consistency and longevity. He has been at the top level for seven or eight years and, apart from the World Championships in 2025, has reached the podium every single time. That is what sustained excellence looks like, and it is where both Arshad and Pakistan are currently falling short.

If we look at cricket, Pakistan are no longer the team they once were. While we continue to build up the India-Pakistan contest, deep down we know that India would probably win 95 out of 100 matches – and win comfortably. It is no longer the rivalry it once was, and that is not a good sign for world cricket.

The women’s team is in an even more difficult position. Apart from Fatima Sana, who is world-class, and perhaps Muneeba Ali, there is little to suggest they can consistently challenge the leading sides. With Arshad on a downward trajectory, there is very little left to celebrate in Pakistan sport. The hockey team were comprehensively beaten by India in the Pro League, and that reality should not be lost on anyone. While Neeraj is on a comeback trail and once again finished on the podium in Glasgow, Arshad did not even make the top eight in the final.

Perhaps it is time for some genuine introspection and soul-searching. Otherwise, the same story is likely to play out at the Asian Games a month from now.

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The post Arshad Nadeem’s Struggles Mirror the Wider Decline of Pakistan Sport appeared first on Sports News Portal | Revsportz.

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], August 5 (ANI): Commonwealth Games silver medallist Raja Muthupandi has appealed to the Tamil Nadu government to establish weightlifting training centres across all districts, saying improved infrastructure will help identify and nurture the next generation of lifters in the state.

The Indian weightlifter, who won silver in the men’s 65kg event at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, also expressed gratitude to his parents, the people of Tamil Nadu and the governments at the Centre and in the state for recognising his achievement.

Speaking after his return to India, Raja said, “I dedicate this silver medal to my parents and the people of Tamil Nadu. The Malaysian lifter, who won the gold medal in his category, was a strong competitor. Union Sports Minister had also hosted the Indian medal winners for a dinner in New Delhi and announced a cash reward of Rs 20 lakh for my silver medal. I am happy that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay announced a cash incentive of Rs 30 lakh the day after I secured the medal. I appeal to the Tamil Nadu government to establish weightlifting training centres in all districts to help nurture young talent and strengthen the sport across the state."

Raja produced an overall lift of 286kg, comprising 126kg in the snatch and 160kg in the clean and jerk, to finish second in the men’s 65kg category and secure one of India’s standout medals in Glasgow.

Malaysia’s Aznil Bin Bidin Muhamed won the gold medal with a Commonwealth Games record total of 299kg, claiming his third consecutive Commonwealth Games title after earlier triumphs at Gold Coast 2018 and Birmingham 2022.

The silver medal marked a remarkable comeback for the 26-year-old, whose career was nearly cut short by a serious elbow ligament injury in 2019. His rehabilitation was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, while the absence of his preferred weight category and stiff domestic competition kept him out of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Raja returned to the national fold following the introduction of the 65kg category and steadily rebuilt his form, highlighted by a ninth-place finish at the 2025 World Weightlifting Championships with a personal-best total of 299kg before reaching the Commonwealth Games podium.

His medal was part of another productive campaign for Indian weightlifting at Glasgow 2026. Olympic silver medallist Mirabai Chanu won a third consecutive Commonwealth Games gold in the women’s 48kg category, while Chanambam Rishikanta Singh also secured silver in the men’s 60kg event.

India ended the 2026 Commonwealth Games in fourth place on the overall medal table with 39 medals — 13 gold, 17 silver and nine bronze. Weightlifting contributed eight medals to the tally, comprising one gold, six silver and one bronze. (ANI)

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