When doctors predicted a bleak future for six-year-old Aishwin Kaur, little did anyone know that the spirited 18-year-old from Ludhiana would one day become a symbol of resilience and excellence on the national sports stage. Diagnosed with the rare genetic disorder metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD), which severely affects the nervous system, Aishwin defied all expectations to emerge as a gold medalist in the women’s singles category at the National Deaf Senior, Junior and Sub-Junior Sports Championship held in Ahmedabad from March 20 to 24.
Overcoming a diagnosis that once spelled a short life, Aishwin’s journey is a testament to unwavering determination. In the championship final, she faced West Bengal’s Megha and secured victory with a 4-2 win. “Our daughter is a real fighter,” said her proud parents, Bikramjit Singh and Pritpal Kaur. “At the age of six, she was diagnosed with MLD and doctors said she wouldn’t survive long. But she defied all odds with sheer willpower and determination. She has triumphed not only in life but also in table tennis, a sport she truly loves.”
A pivotal moment in Aishwin’s sporting journey came on her 12th birthday when her father gifted her a table tennis kit. “I wanted her to channel her energy in a positive direction,” recalled Bikramjit Singh. That birthday gift marked the beginning of a promising career. Initially training in Ludhiana, Aishwin’s potential soon outgrew the local facilities. Recognizing her ambition, her parents enrolled her in a prestigious academy in Gurugram. There, among over a hundred athletes, she became the sole deaf player – yet was never treated any differently. Instead, she was given the same rigorous training and support that helped her talent blossom.
Aishwin’s accolades extend far beyond her recent national triumph. In December 2024, she clinched a silver medal in the Asia Pacific Deaf Games (Team Category) and a bronze in the Women’s Doubles. Her international success continued with a silver medal at the World Deaf Table Tennis Championship (Team Category) in Taiwan in July 2023, along with two bronze medals from the World Youth Deaf Table Tennis Championship in the individual and doubles categories. Adding to her legacy, she proudly carried the Indian flag as the country’s flag bearer at the opening ceremony of the 4th World Deaf Table Tennis Championship in Chinese Taipei.
Not one to be confined by challenges, Aishwin has also made her mark in competitions open to all. She was crowned the national champion in deaf youth table tennis in 2023, became the district champion of Ludhiana in the general category, and secured a silver medal in the Punjab State Table Tennis Rankings the same year.
Aishwin Kaur’s story is more than just a record of medals and matches—it is a celebration of human spirit and perseverance. Her journey from a grim medical prognosis to a shining example of sporting excellence continues to inspire not only aspiring athletes but anyone facing formidable challenges. As her hometown of Ludhiana beams with pride, Aishwin remains a beacon of hope and determination, reminding us all that with passion and hard work, even the toughest odds can be overcome.
