AI Generated Summary
- Harjinder went on to claim the silver medal on Tuesday, improving upon the bronze she had won at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and adding another significant achievement to Punjab’s sporting record.
- For Sahib Singh, the silver medal is both a moment of celebration and a reminder of how far the family has travelled.
- Hours before competing in the women’s 69 kg weightlifting event at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Harjinder Kaur made a confident call home.
Punjab weightlifter improves on her 2022 bronze as years of sacrifice, family support and financial hardship culminate in another international medal
Hours before competing in the women’s 69 kg weightlifting event at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Harjinder Kaur made a confident call home.
The 29-year-old athlete from Mehas village near Nabha told her brother, Pritpal Singh, that she was in excellent form and expected to finish among the top two competitors.
Her assessment proved accurate. Harjinder went on to claim the silver medal on Tuesday, improving upon the bronze she had won at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and adding another significant achievement to Punjab’s sporting record.
“She sounded completely prepared and confident,” Pritpal said while recalling their conversation. “She told me that she would return with either gold or silver. We are extremely proud that she fulfilled her promise.”
The medal represents far more than sporting success for the family of marginal farmer Sahib Singh. It is the outcome of years of financial struggle, social criticism and unwavering support for a daughter determined to pursue an unconventional career.
According to Pritpal, several people in their village once questioned the family’s decision to allow Harjinder to participate in competitive sport. Her parents, however, refused to be discouraged.
“People would make remarks and criticise us for supporting her, but the family never allowed those comments to influence her future,” he said.
Supporting an aspiring athlete was not easy for a household with limited agricultural income. The expenses associated with coaching, specialised nutrition, equipment and travel regularly exceeded the family’s means. Sahib Singh borrowed money on several occasions to ensure that his daughter did not have to abandon her training.
Harjinder’s early life had already taught her perseverance. As a schoolgirl, she travelled nearly five kilometres by bicycle from Mehas to Nabha each day.
Her father remembers occasions when the bicycle developed a puncture on the way home. Aware of the family’s financial condition, she would quietly walk the remaining distance rather than complain or immediately ask for repairs.
Her physical strength was also shaped by life on the family farm. Alongside her studies, she helped with agricultural work and operated a chaff-cutting machine to prepare fodder for the cattle. Harjinder has often said that these demanding tasks strengthened her arms long before she entered a professional weightlifting arena.
Her introduction to organised sport came in Class XI. She began by playing kabaddi, but coach Paramjit Sharma soon noticed her natural power and directed her towards tug of war. Weightlifting followed later and eventually became the discipline in which she found national and international success.
The switch, however, initially made her uneasy. At one point, Harjinder considered leaving the sport because she feared that intensive strength training might alter her appearance.
Her parents persuaded her to look beyond such concerns.
“We told her that she should concentrate on her talent and the future she could build through the sport,” Sahib Singh said. “Once she committed herself fully, she never looked back.”
Education remained equally important in the household. Despite repeated financial difficulties, Sahib insisted that all his children continue studying.
Pritpal said their parents consistently reassured them that a shortage of money would not be allowed to end their ambitions.
“Our father always told us that education must continue, whatever the circumstances,” he said. “Our parents did everything within their capacity to support both our studies and our dreams.”
Harjinder’s interest in strength sports also has a family connection. Sahib participated in local weightlifting contests during his younger years, although limited opportunities prevented him from pursuing the sport professionally.
The family’s circumstances have since improved. Harjinder is now employed with the Income Tax Department, while Pritpal is also earning. The athlete was recently conferred the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award in recognition of her sporting achievements.
For Sahib Singh, the silver medal is both a moment of celebration and a reminder of how far the family has travelled.
After years spent worrying about loans, expenses and his daughter’s uncertain sporting future, he expressed his relief in simple words: “Hun koi fikar nai mainu” — now, I have no worries.
