Labourer's daughter clinches 800m gold in World Athletics Continental Tour

In a moment of pride for athletics, 22-year-old Amandeep Kaur clinched a gold medal in the 800-metre race and a bronze medal in the 1500-metre race in the ongoing World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze event held at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.

"I was the only girl from Punjab, and winning two medals feels like a dream come true. My second race was just half an hour after my first 800m run — I can't even begin to express how happy I am," Amandeep shared joyfully over the phone.

Kaur clocked an impressive 2:04.31 minutes in the 800m event, securing the top podium position. She also displayed commendable endurance and speed in the 1500m, finishing the race in 4:27.14 minutes to secure a third-place finish.

Behind these achievements lies a story of grit and determination. Coming from a humble background — her father works as a labourer and her mother is a domestic help — Amandeep has overcome significant financial hurdles to reach this stage. Her coach, Deepak Kumar from Dasuya, expressed immense pride in her journey and achievements. Amandeep belongs to Moga and came in contact with her coach Deepak Kumar two years ago.

“I know her struggles. She comes from a financially challenged family, and every competition requires us to pool in resources to ensure she can participate,” Kumar said. “But over the past two years, I’ve seen her transform into a world-class athlete. Her dedication and hard work are beyond words. We all are incredibly proud of her.”

Amandeep’s success not only highlights her personal perseverance but also brings attention to the potential of young athletes from underprivileged backgrounds. "With proper support and training, she can achieve a lot. She is a star player," Deepak Kumar further mentioned.