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Making a habit of overcoming setbacks
Millions of people walk on the streets of India, but no one has ever created a record like that of Khushbir Kaur, who added her name in the annals of India’s sporting history by becoming the first athlete to win a silver medal in race-walking at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games. Hailing from Rasulpurkalan, a small village near Amritsar, the reticent 21-year-old athlete now has her sights on the 2016 Rio Olympics.
But Khushbir’s journey to the Asian Games medal wasn’t as smooth as her race-walking. Losing her father at the tender age of six was a big setback as she and her mother had to make major adjustments in life. Financial constraints forced her to change her school from a renowned private institute to a dilapidated government school.
Besides, she also had to spend time in the family’s farm land, which became a blessing in disguise as it strengthened her physical attributes to become a strong athlete. Khushbir’s achievements can be attributed to the support of her mother, who encouraged her to get into sports when she was in seventh standard.
Initially, Khushbir tried her hand in a number of sports. Fortunately, she got the guidance of a few good coaches, who trained her in numerous junior events across the country.
Khushbir’s glittering array of records
Khushbir first came into prominence after winning the bronze medal in the 10,000 metre (6.2 mile) race-walking event at the 2012 Asian Junior Athletics Championships held at Colombo, Sri Lanka. She notched up junior national records in the 5 km and 10 km events in the national and international circuit.
As she started charting her course to be a professional race-walker, she encountered the plight and apathy that most Indian athletes do. She had to face numerous odds like lack of proper grounds, facilities, equipment, nutrition and support staff to train and develop into a champion athlete.
While becoming the first Indian woman to clinch a 20 km race-walking silver medal at the Incheon Asian Games, she also improved her personal best, setting a new national record in the process. The 21-year-old clocked 1:33:07 to better her previous personal best of 1:33:37, eventually finishing second in the marathon.
Your chance to support Khushbir
The indifference and lack of support from all quarters never deterred Khushbir from dreaming big. She immensely proud about what she has achieved for her country and community in a very short period of time.
Khushbir Kaur is supported by India's first athlete-only crowdfunding platform, India For Sports, and fund-raising for her cause is being done here. This is an initiative to connect people to race-walking, providing them with a platform to give a helping hand to India's pursuit of a gold medal at the Rio Olympics.
To better herself, Khusbir intends to go to Rio Maior, Portgual for two months where she can train under Portuguese coach Jorge Miguel and with the Portuguese national Olympic team. The question is, will India stand behind her?
