Hardeep still best in business,in India and New Zealand

Although both are small towns in their own right,Lehel,Punjab,is a long way from Palmerston North,New Zealand....

Although both are small towns in their own right,Lehel,Punjab,is a long way from Palmerston North,New Zealand. But thats the journey Hardeep Kaur Indias best hammer thrower took. Hardeep Kaur won the womens event at the 50th National Interstate Championships with an effort of 61.21m,even though it wasnt enough to break her own ten-year-old national record of 61.67.

Hardeep grew up in Lehel,near the famous gurudwara of Raada Saheb. I picked up shot put in school. I was always quite aggressive and would always try to show off. My parents never discouraged me by saying this was not a sport for girls. Later on I got influenced by my cousin Jagdip who was also a national record holder in hammer throw, the 33-year-old said.

Although Hardeep set the national mark in 2002 before the Busan Asian Games,where she took a bronze medal,in the following years she admits,she lost focus. I got married,and then I had a daughter. And while she says her husband always supported her,she accepts she did not give the sport due attention. In 2009,Hardeep went to New Zealand to pursue a sports diploma at the International Pacific College in Palmerston North,Manawatu. It wasnt easy leaving behind her husband and 18- month-old baby,she reminisces. For money,she picked up a job at a mail room. While at University,she began competing again,at the club level and currently holds the New Zealands hammer throw record for senior women for 2010 with a distance of 57.1m. Hardeep says her studies,which were to help her become an athletics coach,also gave her a new perspective to her own training.

Story continues below this ad

Failing to secure New Zealands citizenship meant she couldnt represent that country,but its not something that has left her too disappointed. Its always better to play for your own country. I am really looking forward to playing in the Commonwealth Games in front of my home crowd. Asked if she would compete for New Zealand,she replies: I want to go back and settle there. It is a beautiful country. But Im already 33. In all honesty I really do not have that many international tournaments left in me.

Results : Women 5000m : 1 Jijimol Jacob 17:27,2 S Thobatonchanu 17:32,Monika Atre 17:39; Men 100m : 1 BG Nagaraj 10.55,2 Krishna Rane 10.55,3 Hemant 10.58; Women 100m : 1 Satti Geetha 11.80,2 HM Jyothi 11.84,3 Priya PK 12.01; Women Hammer Throw : 1 Hardeep Kaur 61.21m,2 Manju Bala 56.01m,3 Ritu Rani 55.36m; Women Pole Vault : 1 S Saranya 3.30m,2 Anusha KP 3.20m,3 Kyathi 3.10m; Women Discus Throw : 1 Harwant Kaur 60.66m,2 Krishna Poonia 60.44m,3 Seema Antil 56.06m; Men Triple Jump : 1 J Surendhar,2 Nitin Singh,3 Sushen Roy.

‘Violence in Nepal is heart-rending’: PM Modi expresses concern as KP Sharma Oli resigns

India3 hr ago

Prime Minister Narendra Modi showed worry about the turmoil in Nepal and stressed the need for peace and stability. The Nepal Army and security officials called for dialogue to restore order amidst growing protests and the resignation of Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli. The Indian government issued a safety advisory for Indian citizens, advising against travel until the situation improves.

View all shorts

Live Blog