Gurdeep gives bronze sheen to Olympic dreams

MAJRI RASOOLRA (KHANNA): Weightlifter Gurdeep Singh’s family has been ecstatic since he won the bronze medal in weightlifting at the Commonwealth Games.

On Wednesday, 27-year-old Gurdeep Singh Dullet, son of Bhag Singh, a farmer from Majri Rasoolra village, won the bronze medal in weightlifting in the 109-plus kilograms event at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Talking to The Times of India at his home here, 62-year-old Bhag Singh, who owns five acres of farm land, said that he was proud of his son’s achievement, which was also the country’s. He also commended Muhammad Nooh Butt for winning the Gold in the same category.

“I remember when he was leaving from home on June 23 to train for the event. He told us that he would win a medal for the country and he fulfilled his commitment. Hopefully, he will be back in India tomorrow and after that, he will start preparing for Asian Games to be held in November this year. His ultimate aim is to win the gold medal in Olympics,” said Bhag Singh.

He added that his son, who is single, told them that he wanted to dedicate his time to sports and would not marry till he reached 30.

Recalling the time when Gurdeep announced that he wanted to take up weightlifting as sport, he said, “My son loved sports and in 2010, he told me that he wanted to take up weightlifting. I got him enrolled in the weightlifting centre at a school in Khanna where his coach Shubh Karan taught him. In 2013, he won silver at the National event in Aurangabad in the 90 kilogram category. After that he joined National Institute of Sports in Patiala.”

The proud father added that he (Gurdeep) had set five national records, played in China, United States and won fourth spot at the Commonwealth Games in Australia four years ago. “My son suffered a back injury a few years ago and even after that, he won gold medal in various events thrice in the heavy super weight category,” he said, beaming.

Manvir Kaur, Gurdeep’s sister said that the victory was a Rakhi gift for her. “When he left for the event from here, I asked him to get me a gift. I feel that the medal is my brother’s Rakhi gift for me,” she said. She also observed that Gurdeep worked against challenges like limited infrastructure as compared with developed countries to win.