“Dukh Hota Hai”: Commonwealth Gold Medallist Harsh Singh Left Out of Asian Games Squad
NEW DELHI: The path of an elite athlete is rarely a straight line, and for Indian judoka Harsh Singh, the road has hit a painful roadblock. Despite creating history just a month ago by becoming the first male Indian judoka to clinch a gold medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, the 23-year-old has been excluded from India’s squad for the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya.
“Dukh hota hai. Mai iss bade chance ka wait kar rha tha par naam nahi aya [It hurts. I was waiting for this big opportunity, but my name didn’t come up],” a dejected Harsh told Timesofindia.com.
A Bitter Selection Snub
The selection criteria set by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) mandated that athletes must either rank within the top six in Asia or achieve a top-six finish at an international competition or an Asian Championship. While the ministry included a relaxation clause—allowing for expert-recommended selections under “justifiable circumstances”—Harsh, despite his Glasgow triumph, did not meet the rigid performance benchmarks.
The federation confirmed that while his name was among the 13 candidates put forward for consideration, the final decision was out of their hands. “I know that I didn’t meet the criteria, but I was among the medal winners,” Harsh lamented. “I am in good touch, in form, and in confidence… but that’s the life of an athlete, I think.”
India will now head to the Aichi-Nagoya games with a slimmed-down squad of only three female judokas: Asmita Dey (-48kg), Yamini Mourya (-57kg), and Inunganbi Takhellambam (-70kg).
Overcoming the Odds
Harsh’s journey to the international stage is a testament to immense personal struggle. The son of an electrician in Dwarka, Delhi, Harsh grew up witnessing his father’s relentless work to keep the family afloat. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when his father’s work as a repairman came to a grinding halt, the family faced severe financial instability.
“We would borrow some money and somehow manage. But I never stopped my practice,” he recalled. Even through the darkest times, where savings were exhausted to cover his diet and travel for training, his resolve remained unbroken.
From Struggle to Success
The turnaround began in 2024 when a national gold medal earned him a position in the ITBP, followed by an enlistment in the Indian Army as a Havaldar. The support from the Army, particularly his coaches Roop Chand and Chandan, proved to be a turning point, allowing him to focus entirely on his craft without the burden of financial survival.
The Glasgow Commonwealth Games proved to be the ultimate validation of that support. Beyond the podium finish, the gold medal brought something even more precious to his family: societal respect. “Now, even the neighbours who didn’t use to speak to us come to our house… the most important thing is the respect my family has received,” he said.
Looking Ahead
While the Asian Games snub is a significant disappointment, Harsh is choosing to channel his frustration into his next challenge: the Lausanne Grand Slam.
As for his father, who sacrificed everything for his son’s dream, Harsh is now focused on ensuring a comfortable future. “I have told my father, ‘Now you rest and enjoy your life.’ He has done a lot for me. It is my turn now to do something for him.”
