From days without food to CWG gold: Ashmita faces India's 32-year judo wait at Asian Games
Ashmita Dey, the first Indian judoka to win Commonwealth Games gold, is preparing for the Asian Games after a career defined by financial hardship and accidental discovery. Her journey from a small town in Tripura to international success has brought her newfound recognition and support.
Why it matters
It illustrates the challenges faced by athletes from non-traditional sporting backgrounds in India and the impact of international success on their personal and professional lives.
Ashmita Dey arrives at the Asian Games less than two months after becoming the first Indian judoka to win Commonwealth Games gold.The Commonwealth title in Birmingham changed her profile almost overnight, and the 24-year-old, who had spent much of her career out of the spotlight, began to be recognised off the mat too.“No one knew me before. But now everyone knows me. When I went to get food, someone said, this is the same girl, right? This is the same girl who created history for Judo for the first time in India. I was very happy to hear all this,” Ashmita told Timesofindia.comThe recognition means so much to her for a reason.
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