Asmita sharpens Ne-Waza to counter formidable Japan at Asiad — Ground challenge

Semifinal spot assured, India look to continue winning run against Uruguay in FIH

New Delhi, Inspired by the Japanese but equally wary of the challenge they will pose, India’s Commonwealth Games gold-winning judoka Asmita Dey says she is trying to sharpen her holds, pins and submission techniques to present a strong challenge at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya.

“So a Japanese opponent will be tough for me even if I go toe-to-toe with them while standing. “I take a lot of inspiration from Uta Abe. I really like her a lot as a judoka. “Winning the gold medal at the Commonwealth Games has given my confidence a huge boost but I have travelled a lot as well which has disturbed my training a bit.

Dey said she has spent considerable time trying to ace the three aspects of ground fighting as the Asian Games will be a significantly tougher test than the CWG in Glasgow, where she became the first Indian judoka to win a gold. “The Asian Games, as compared to the Commonwealth Games, will be very tough for me because at the Asian Games we have some of the world’s best from rankings 7-14 competing there,” the 23-year-old Dey told PTI Videos as she looked forward to her maiden appearance at the Asian Games beginning September 19. Their Ne-Waza is very strong,” she said. She is an Olympic champion and multiple-time World Champion as well for a long time, and her brother is also a judoka, so I like her technique a lot and her style of game,” Dey said. “Whenever she is able to get hold of the hand grip, she is able to execute Sode and Uchi-mata so that’s something I am very impressed by,” she said. But I am trying to get back to my training and rhythm,” she said. “I will try my level best with my training and hard work and win a medal for my country at Asian Games as well,” Dey said.