Labourer's daughter from Punjab shines at World Athletics Continental Tour with gold and bronze wins

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

"I was the only girl from Punjab and having won two medals is a dream come true. My second run was just half an hour later after my first 800-m run — I can't even express how happy I am," Amandeep shared her happiness over 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 humble 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.