Mumbai: Harsh Singh, who recently earned his first international medal at the Commonwealth Games (CWG), was taken aback by the warm welcome he received at the Delhi airport after returning from Glasgow just a few days ago. The soft-spoken judoka found himself showered with garlands and sweets, and lifted on the shoulders of enthusiastic supporters, an experience that is new to him.
Event Context
Was he excited, or did he feel a bit overwhelmed?
“Mujhe medal laana pasand hai (I enjoy winning medals),” Singh expressed. “After that, I’m fine with whatever else comes my way.”
That medal he referred to was a gold, marking the first time an Indian male judoka achieved this at the Commonwealth Games. This victory followed Asmita Dey’s significant win that ended India’s gold drought in judo during the Games.
Singh aimed to clinch a podium finish at the CWG. As a first-time participant, he admitted, “I didn’t expect to win gold,” which he secured by defeating Australia’s two-time Olympian and 2022 CWG bronze medalist Joshua Katz in the -60kg final.
“But I had trained for this opportunity,” the 23-year-old added. “India has earned medals in this category before, but never gold. I wanted to make sure I went for it with the intention of bringing home that gold medal.”
However, from 2024 to 2025, Singh grappled with the fear that he might not achieve his goal.
In August 2024, he suffered significant injuries, including tears to his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus in his right knee during a training session at the Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS). While his doctor recommended surgery, Singh found it hard to accept the reality of needing a major operation that would sideline him for up to a year.
“My heart wasn’t ready to accept that I would have to undergo such a significant surgery and be out for so long,” he reflected.
Player Focus
Singh mentioned to HT, “In the past, young people were not inclined to pursue this sport. There seemed to be little benefit, opportunities, or potential for growth. Many kids preferred switching to judo, wrestling, or kabaddi. They found no appeal in judo because they lacked visibility of the athletes and their achievements. However, now that Indian athletes are winning medals in various competitions, youngsters are becoming more aware of the sport and can envision a promising future in it.”
Team Analysis
In a country where judo is not widely recognized, a significant breakthrough has occurred. One of the key figures in this achievement is already noticing a shift in how judo is perceived. Family members and residents in Singh’s neighborhood in Delhi, who once had limited awareness of the sport, are now intrigued and contemplating enrolling their children in judo classes.
Match Outlook
A month and a half after experiencing ‘locked’ knees during squats at the gym, Singh recognized that he could not continue on this path. ‘It would have hampered my game and my career,’ he admitted.
The following day, he underwent surgery. For the next several months, he relied on a walker while gradually regaining knee movement. By March of the subsequent year, he completed his rehabilitation and made his competitive return at the national ranking event in October.
‘My weight had climbed to 72kg, and I was required to qualify in the 60kg category. Losing that weight was incredibly challenging,’ Singh explained. ‘During that initial phase, I struggled with negative thoughts and fears regarding my recovery. However, my physiotherapists, doctors, and coaches kept me motivated.’
Singh did not always have a solid support network. As a child in a humble family in Delhi, he practiced judo for enjoyment. However, as his aspirations grew, the increased travel to Palam for training became financially burdensome.
‘Supplements and equipment were pricey. I couldn’t manage everything on my own. The seniors in my sport would help out in any way they could,’ Singh recalled.
‘It was only after I earned medals at the National Games and was selected for IIS that I could fully concentrate on my sport without financial distractions.’
Currently serving as a Havildar in the Army, Singh has ensured his father no longer needs to work. Regarding his own journey, he believes he is just beginning.
‘Honestly, I see this as just the first step for me,’ he commented about winning gold at the Commonwealth Games. ‘This is my initial international medal, and it inspires me to aim for more.’
