Tripura judoka Asmita Dey, who created history by becoming the first Indian judoka to win a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games, was accorded a grand felicitation by the state government in Agartala on Wednesday.

The 23-year-old athlete was honoured for her remarkable performance at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where she produced a spirited comeback to claim the women’s 48kg title. Dey defeated Canada’s Heidi Quach in a dramatic golden-score contest to secure the historic gold medal.

The state government also presented Dey with a cheque of Rs 10 lakh in recognition of her achievement. The felicitation ceremony was attended by senior government officials, sports administrators, athletes, coaches and supporters, who congratulated the judoka for bringing national and state-level recognition through her performance on the international stage.

Chief Minister Manik Saha, while addressing the gathering, announced that the state government would also allot a piece of land to Dey for construction of a house in Agartala.

Saha said Dey’s achievement was a matter of pride for Tripura and the country and described her success as an inspiration for young athletes across the state. The recognition by the government is aimed at encouraging Dey to continue her sporting journey while also motivating other youngsters to take up competitive sports.

Dey’s gold medal-winning performance in Glasgow was marked by determination and composure under pressure. Competing in the highly competitive women’s 48kg category, she battled her way through the event before facing Quach in the decisive contest.

The final went into the golden-score period after the two judokas remained locked in a closely fought battle during regulation time. Dey eventually prevailed, completing a memorable comeback and securing the gold medal.

Her victory also marked a significant moment for Indian judo, as she became the first Indian judoka to win a Commonwealth Games gold medal. The achievement has brought greater attention to the sport in the country and highlighted the growing contribution of athletes from India’s northeastern states to the national sporting landscape.

For Tripura, Dey’s success is particularly significant as the state continues to encourage young athletes across different sporting disciplines. Her journey is expected to serve as an example for aspiring judokas and other athletes who are seeking to compete at national and international levels.

The felicitation ceremony provided an opportunity for the state government and the sporting community to recognise not only Dey’s medal but also the hard work, discipline and perseverance behind her achievement.

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Officials and supporters hailed the judoka’s ability to remain composed during the crucial stages of the final, particularly when the contest moved into golden score. Her performance demonstrated the importance of physical preparation, tactical awareness and mental resilience in elite-level judo.

The Rs 10 lakh cash award and land allotment announced by the Tripura government are also expected to provide further encouragement to Dey as she continues her career. The housing land in Agartala will give the athlete additional support and recognition for her contribution to the state.

Dey’s historic Commonwealth Games triumph has thus become a moment of celebration not only for her family and coaches but also for the wider sporting community in Tripura. The state government’s felicitation underlines the importance of recognising athletes who achieve success at major international competitions.

Asmita Dey’s gold in Glasgow is expected to inspire a new generation of judokas in Tripura and across India, while her achievement adds another significant chapter to the country’s growing presence in international judo.