Asian U-20 gold medallist Amanat Kamboj gets hero’s welcome in Fazilka

Eighteen-year-old Amanat Kamboj of Fazilka received a warm welcome on her return home after winning the gold medal in the discus throw event at the Asian U-20 Athletics Championships 2026 in Hong Kong.

Amanat secured the gold for India on May 29 with a best throw of 52.24 metres, finishing atop the field.

Ferozepur MP Sher Singh Ghubaya, along with representatives of various NGOs, felicitated her with garlands on her arrival.

Speaking to The Tribune, Amanat’s father and coach, Hakam Chand Kamboj, said she had won a silver medal at the 2024 Asian U-20 Athletics Championships and had now realised her long-cherished dream of winning gold.

“I worked very hard over the past two years to turn my silver medal into gold,” Amanat said. “It is a proud moment for me to fulfil my father’s dream and receive such a warm welcome from my hometown, Fazilka.”

Hakam, who is serving with the Railway Protection Force (RPF) in Jalalabad, said Amanat’s achievement was a dream come true for him as well. A former national-level discus thrower, he said he had never managed to win an international gold medal during his career.

He added that Amanat, a first-year Bachelor of Arts student at Chandigarh University, has also qualified for the World Athletics U-20 Championships, scheduled to be held in the United States on August 5.