Now Reading: CWG gold medallist judoka Harsh Singh misses Asian Games, rues snub
-
01
CWG gold medallist judoka Harsh Singh misses Asian Games, rues snub
Commonwealth Games gold medallist Harsh Singh has been left out of India's judo squad for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. The 23-year-old, who became the first male Indian judoka to win…
Commonwealth Games gold medallist Harsh Singh has been left out of India's judo squad for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. The 23-year-old, who became the first male Indian judoka to win CWG gold in the 60kg category last month, said he was hurt and had hoped his form would earn him a place despite not meeting the selection criteria. India will send only three female judokas to the Games: Asmita Dey, Yamini Mourya and Inunganbi Takhellambam.
The selection criteria required a top-six finish among Asian nations in international competitions or at the Asian Championships. Harsh lost in the first round of the Asian Championships to Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Yang Yung-wei of Chinese Taipei. He said the federation told him nothing could be done after his name did not appear on the list. Harsh is now focusing on the Lausanne Grand Slam.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The Asian Games selection rule that tripped Harsh Singh is the same Performance-Based Qualification System the Sports Ministry and SAI apply across disciplines to avoid subjective picks. It gives federations a clear benchmark, world or continental ranking, but leaves a relaxation clause that is almost never used publicly. India has sent only three judokas to the 2026 Asian Games, all women, which means the men's squad was entirely cut. Judo's medal yield for India at Asian Games level has been thin: since 1951, only three bronze medals, the last won by Garima Chaudhary in 2014. Harsh's next chance to clock a result that fits the criteria is the Lausanne Grand Slam in August. If he reaches the medal rounds there against Asian opponents, the federation would have a fresh data point to argue for a late inclusion, but the squad is already gazetted.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
