Mother recalls hard times as Ludhiana girl wins boxing gold

LUDHIANA: “Every medal won by my daughter is a reply to those who ridiculed me for encouraging her for boxing and giving wings to her dreams. I took their barbs silently, but my daughter is replying to them with her achievements,” said Rajpal Kaur, mother of

boxer Simranjit Kaur

from Chakar village in Ludhiana district.


Simranjit Kaur won a gold medal in the

Boxing World Cup

, Cologne, Germany, under the 60kg weight category on Sunday. Her win has increased expectations from her of bagging a medal in the

Tokyo Olympics

, for which she has already qualified.

The bout was scheduled for 2am on Sunday and after winning the gold, she at first texted her mother. Rajpal said, “Words are failing me as I try to express my feelings. I got her text in the evening and congratulated her. Now we all are hoping she will win a medal in the Tokyo Olympics and create history. She would be reaching Ludhiana by Monday evening. We all are ready to give her a warm welcome.”

Rajpal, a single mother, faced many hurdles and financial strains in raising Simranjit after her husband passed away years ago. Rajpal said, “When a family goes through a financial crisis, they kill the dreams of their children and push them to work and earn a living. But I encouraged Simranjit to go for boxing. Several people ridiculed and discouraged us, but I just ignored them. Now Simranjit’s achievements are speaking aloud. I believe girls should be independent and all mothers should encourage them irrespective of the hard times they are facing. Simranjit says all these tournaments will give her the experience and confidence to win at the Olympics.”