Gurdaspur girl breaks barriers in male-dominated sports

Sportswomen in Gurdaspur are steadily breaking into disciplines once considered the preserve of men, excelling in both individual and team sports.Coaches say this shift is significant, as it inspires girls to pursue any sport they are passionate about without hesitation.One such girl is judoka Harpuneet Kaur who has been making waves in the domestic circuit. Her coaches are now pinning hopes on the girl excelling in junior international meets.Enthusiastic about breaking stereotypes, sportswomen like Kaur are encouraging others of their ilk to pursue their passion.

Sports experts maintain that individual success in games like judo act as powerful motivators. Seeing young girls excel on the mat encourages their colleagues or school mates to follow.

Harpuneet, a student of Plus 2 in the city’s Smt Dhan Devi senior secondary school, caught the eye of judo aficionados when he got the second position in the prestigious judo national league held in Thrissur (Kerala) in September, 2024. Thereafter, she continued her winning ways. The same year saw her clinching a bronze medal in the 68th national school games (u-17) held in Agartala. In 2025, she won a bronze medal in the National cadet Judo Championship held in Pune. She started this year by annexing a bronze in the 69th edition of the national school games held in February in New Delhi.

Kaur knows the fickle nature of sports. One slip, one injury and you are out of contention for years. Hence, she is aiming at a perfect combination between study and sports. She is planning to do her graduation from GNDU, Amritsar once she steps out of school.

Kaur, like other top-drawer players, has proved that women are changing the world of modern sport by taking on roles that were once off-limits.

In the fall of 2025, renowned Georgian coach Lasha Kizilashvli paid a visit to Gurdaspur’s Shaheed Bhagat Singh judo centre. Local coaches requested him to have a look at Harpuneet while she was practicing. The coach was highly impressed by her tactics and technique.

He agreed to take her to Georgia for advanced training but her parents said they would send her only after she completes her graduation.

After seeing Kaur train, more and more girls are starting to see sports as a place where they can actually succeed. That is the reason why the Gurdaspur training centre has started special sessions exclusively for girls.

“You are the author of your own story. Write it boldly, rewrite it fearlessly, and inspire others with every chapter," said Kaur.