From Patiala to podium: Manpreet Kaur's journey of perseverance

The story of Manpreet Kaur reads like a textbook on resilience. After winning a bronze at the 2023 Asian Athletics Championship with a 17.00‑metre throw, she set her sights on the Asian Games 2026.

Balancing a professional posting in Patiala, she continued to train in Ambala, perfecting the technique that would later earn her a 17.17‑metre throw and a bronze medal. Her mother‑in‑law reaffirmed the family’s pride, promising to celebrate at a local Gurudwara and share sweets with neighbours.

Manpreet’s husband has been an integral part of her preparation, matching her workouts and providing unwavering encouragement. Their partnership allowed her to overcome a four‑year ban imposed after a positive doping test that stripped her 2017 Asian gold.

Since her comeback in 2022, the thrower broke the national record with an 18.06‑metre effort, competed at the 2022 Commonwealth Games (11th place), and narrowly missed a medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, finishing fourth with 17.49 metres.