India’s Yamini Mourya won the silver medal in the women’s 57kg judo event at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, on 31 July, after a hard-fought final against England’s Acelya Toprak. The contest went into Golden Score, where Mourya received a third Shido penalty, handing Toprak the gold medal. Mourya’s silver added to India’s successful campaign in judo, with compatriots Asmita Dey and Harsh Singh also winning gold medals in their respective weight categories. Speaking after the final, Mourya said she was “a bit disappointed” with the outcome but expressed her determination to return stronger.
A Hard-Fought Final in Glasgow
Mourya enjoyed an impressive run through the competition to reach the gold-medal bout in the women’s 57kg category. Facing England’s Acelya Toprak, she matched her opponent throughout regulation time, with neither judoka able to secure a decisive score. The contest was therefore decided in Golden Score, the tie-break period used in judo when a winner is not determined within regulation time.
During the extended contest, both athletes accumulated penalties before Mourya received a third Shido, bringing the match to an end and awarding victory to Toprak. Although she narrowly missed the top step of the podium, Mourya’s silver medal marked one of the biggest achievements of her international career and strengthened India’s medal tally at the Games.
From Sagar to International Success
Born on 26 March 1998 in Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, Yamini Mourya has steadily established herself among India’s leading judokas in the women’s 57kg division. She comes from a farming family and took up judo at a young age, progressing through state and national competitions before representing India internationally. One of the defining moments of her early career came at the 2023 FISU World University Games, where she won a bronze medal to become the first Indian judoka to finish on the podium at the event. The achievement brought her wider recognition and marked an important milestone in her journey on the international circuit.
Building a Consistent International Record
Over the past two years, Mourya has produced a series of strong performances on the International Judo Federation circuit. In 2025, she won the Hong Kong Asian Open, claiming the gold medal in her weight category. She followed that success with another gold medal at the 2026 Dakar African Open, underlining her consistency against international opponents.
She also secured a silver medal at the Pacific Open in Honiara and represented India in Grand Slam events and the Asian Championships. These performances helped establish her among India’s top judokas and earned her selection for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where she converted her consistent form into a podium finish.
A Memorable Day for Indian Judo
Mourya’s silver came during one of India’s strongest days in Commonwealth Games judo. Earlier in the competition, Asmita Dey won the women’s 48kg title, becoming the first Indian to win a Commonwealth Games gold medal in judo, while Harsh Singh claimed gold in the men’s 60kg category. Together, the three podium finishes highlighted India’s growing presence in the sport and contributed valuable medals to the country’s overall tally. The results also reflected the increasing competitiveness of Indian judokas at major international events.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Yamini Mourya’s silver medal is a testament to what sustained effort and consistent performances can achieve on the international stage. Success in sport is often built over years of dedication, with each competition contributing to an athlete’s growth and experience. As more Indian judokas achieve success at major tournaments, their performances have the potential to encourage greater participation in the sport and inspire the next generation of athletes.
What more can be done to ensure talented athletes across India receive the opportunities and support they need to compete consistently at the highest international level?
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