Tragic loss to Commonwealth triumph: How Asmita Deh overcame father's death to clinch India's first gold in judo
PTC News Desk: Asmita Dey who won India's first ever gold medal in judo at Commonwealth Games is now struggling to control her overwhelming emotions after her historic win as the only person she wanted to show her medal first is the one no longer beside her.
Asmita powered India to secure its first ever gold in judo at Commonwealth Games said that her father was the only one who supported her.
"When my father passed away, I thought everything had finished because he was the one who supported me," Asmita said, struggling to hold back tears after her historic triumph.
The jubilation reminisced the time when Deh's father carried the dreams long before it became India's dream.
"I am from a very small village in Tripura. People there don't dream this big. But Papa always supported me," she said.
Juggling through financial difficulties and living in a mud house, her father repaired bicycles for a living, earning around Rs 300 a day, just enough to keep the household running. Despite financial hardships, her father made sure to never let them become a hiccup in his daughter playing the sport she loved.
When a knee injury threatened to derail her career, he took her to Delhi for treatment, bought medicines and did everything within his means to ensure she could return to the mat.
"He brought me to Delhi for treatment and bought medicines," she recalled.
His sudden demise left Asmita completely shattered. The man who carried those dreams and did whatever he could to make transition them into reality was the one who was no longer there to witness. With his passing, Asmita's constant source of reassurance and dream of competing on big stage also lost.
However while Asmita was struggling to come to terms with the loss, her mother quietly stepped into her husband's shoes.
Just 10 days after the funeral, she asked her daughter to return to training.
"If I stop you today, your father will think I am shattering your dreams," she told her.
Asmita packed her bags and returned to the Sports Authority of India centre in Bhopal.
Ahead of the Commonwealth Games, she had full of anxiety and endured sleepless nights.
"I have worked so hard for this. Before this medal, I was unable to sleep in India. I used to stay awake thinking about the fights. Even if my body was tired, I was not able to sleep. I used to feel restless and then wake up for training at 5.30." The nerves stayed with her after she arrived in Glasgow.
"When I reached here, I felt very anxious thinking what will happen. I just kept thinking I have to beat everyone and win." That determination extended beyond the training hall. Even small pleasures became reminders of the goal she was chasing.
- With inputs from agencies
