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CWG 2026: Why were Commonwealth medalists left out of the Asiad squad? Harsh Singh and Unnati Sharma raise their voices.

Posted on 11th Aug 2026 03:16 pm by rohit kumar

India's Asian Games judo squad selection has triggered questions after Commonwealth Games gold medalist Harsh Singh and bronze medalist Unnati Sharma were left out of the team.

 

Harsh created history by winning a gold medal for India at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, while Unnati secured bronze in the women's 63kg category. Despite their recent medal-winning performances, neither judoka has been included in the Asian Games squad approved by the Ministry of Sports.

 

The two athletes have reportedly appealed to the Minister of State for Sports, seeking an opportunity to represent India at the Asian Games based on their recent performances.

 

Why Were Harsh Singh and Unnati Sharma Left Out?

 

The Ministry of Sports has set a specific qualification benchmark for Indian judokas seeking selection for the Asian Games.

 

According to the selection policy, athletes are required to be ranked among the top six in Asia to qualify for consideration.

 

At present, only three female judokas meet the stipulated criterion, according to the details provided by the Ministry and the Sports Authority of India (SAI).

 

They are Asmita Dey, Yamini Maurya and Inugambi.

 

Asmita Dey and Yamini Maurya are Commonwealth Games gold medalists, while Inugambi won a bronze medal at the Asian Championships.

 

No male judoka currently meets the required top-six Asian ranking criterion, according to the selection details.

 

Harsh and Unnati Seek Inclusion Based on Recent Performances

 

Harsh Singh and Unnati Sharma have reportedly requested that their recent performances be taken into consideration for Asian Games selection.

 

Harsh's Commonwealth Games gold was particularly significant as he became India's first male judoka to win Commonwealth Games gold, according to the information provided.

 

Unnati also produced a medal-winning performance by securing bronze in the women's 63kg category.

 

The athletes have argued for an opportunity to compete at the Asian Games despite not meeting the current ranking-based selection requirement.

 

Judo Federation Had Selected Six Athletes

 

The Judo Federation of India (JFI) had initially selected three male and three female judokas for the Asian Games.

 

Among those selected were Arun Kumar, Shraddha and Harsh Singh.

 

However, Arun Kumar subsequently failed a doping test, while Harsh and Shraddha did not meet the Ministry's top-six Asian ranking requirement.

 

As a result, the proposed squad has been affected by both eligibility and selection-policy issues.

 

JFI Seeks Opportunity for Medal Winners

 

A JFI official acknowledged that competition at the Asian Games is considerably tougher than at the Commonwealth Games.

 

However, the federation believes that athletes who have recently won medals should be given an opportunity to compete at the continental event.

 

Discussions over the issue are reportedly taking place between the federation, the Ministry of Sports and SAI.

 

The final decision on whether Harsh and Unnati will be included remains awaited.

 

14 Indian Judokas Were Sent to Glasgow

 

India's participation in the Glasgow Commonwealth Games also involved a late expansion of the judo contingent.

 

Initially, three male and three female judokas were expected to participate. However, the number was increased at the last moment, with seven male and seven female judokas eventually travelling to Glasgow.

 

The expanded contingent delivered a strong performance.

 

For the first time, Indian judokas won two gold, one silver and one bronze medal at the Games.

 

Harsh Singh's gold was among the historic achievements, while Unnati Sharma also contributed to India's medal tally.

 

Asian Games Selection Policy Becomes the Key Issue

 

The controversy highlights the tension between performance-based selection and ranking-based eligibility criteria.

 

The Ministry's top-six Asian ranking requirement is intended to ensure that India's Asian Games participants meet a defined competitive benchmark.

 

However, the recent Commonwealth Games performances of Harsh and Unnati have led to calls for the athletes to be considered despite their current rankings.

 

The matter is now being discussed with the relevant authorities, with the athletes hoping that their medal-winning performances will strengthen their case.

 

What Happens Next?

 

The immediate focus is on the Ministry of Sports and SAI's decision regarding the appeals made by Harsh Singh and Unnati Sharma.

 

For Harsh, inclusion would provide an opportunity to build on his historic Commonwealth Games gold medal. For Unnati, it would offer a chance to compete at the continental level after her bronze-medal performance.

 

The final Asian Games judo squad could therefore remain a closely watched issue until the selection process is concluded.

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