Way to go:Strong-willed, para powerlifter was disabled only by govt apathy

Box quote: “I had no inkling about achieving success as in the initial days, I couldn’t even lift the 20kg barbel rod. But not the one to feel depressed, after a few weeks of learning the techniques and developing strength, I started lifting weights. Within a few months of my training, I started playing in the 50kg weight category and played my first national level tournament in 2013 only. I managed to clinch a Bronze medal. It gave flight to my dreams”

Ajay Joshi

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, September 8

For 32-year-old Manpreet Kaur, a powerlifter, who represented the country in several international para powerlifting championships, her journey still seems like a dream. Crippled due to polio, she only aspired to find a job after her education so that she could contribute to his family’s income like her three brothers. She also pursued B Ed after her B Com degree despite several hurdles coming her way. Yet she wasn’t able to find a job for herself. The tides turned in her favour when Manpreet took part in para games.

It was in the year 2013, after she completed her B Ed, principal of her college (Ramgarhriya College in Phagwara) told her to join para games till she finds a job. Her coach Parminder Singh and the college principal told her that if she performed well in the games, she would get a government job. Without a second thought and despite her disability, she reached the practice halls the next day after convincing her parents.

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How it all began

“My journey to be a para powerlifter had begun. I had no inkling about achieving success as in the initial days, I couldn’t even lift the 20kg barbel rod. But not the one to feel depressed, after a few weeks of learning the techniques and developing strength, I started lifting weights. Within a few months of my training, I started playing in the 50kg weight category and played my first national level tournament in 2013 only. I managed to clinch a bronze medal. It gave flight to my dreams,” said Manpreet.

As nothing comes easy in life, Manpreet also went through her share of difficulties. The never-ending distance between her home to the training hall, used to drain her. Being the only woman among all the male trainees at the powerlifting training hall, this didn’t deter her from following her dreams.

After sharpening her skills, she bagged gold medals continuously from 2015-2019 in national championships and participated in five international events, including two Asian Championships that were held in Kazakhstan and Japan. She got 13th rank in the Mexico World Championships and also cleared Olympics qualifying round in UK in 2017. She also stayed as paying guest for one year before joining camp in the Sports Authority of India, Gujarat, qualifying for the Khelo India Scheme. She is now preparing for next Paralympics.

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Early life

A resident of Dr Ambedkar Nagar (Dhadday), Manpreet is the only graduate in her family. Defying all odds, she completed her education from a local government school and graduation from Kamla Nehru College in Phagwara. She would move her wheelchair on her own for nearly 5-6 km to reach her school. The only thing that held her back was the negligent behavior of state government towards the players. Despite setting several milestones, not only is she jobless but also hasn’t received the cash reward of the national and international matches she had won.