navjeet kaur dhillon

Sports in her blood, winning in her veins

Discus thrower Navjeet became the country’s second-ever athlete to win a medal in the junior world championship. She won the bronze medal in the IAAF Junior World Championship held in the US last month. Coached by her father Jaspal Singh, a former international-level thrower, she belongs to a sporting family. Her mother is a former Indian women’s hockey member and her brother is national-level shooter.

How do you define success?

Success is achieving one’s goals through persistent efforts.

Who inspires you, and why?

My mother Kuldeep Kaur is the one who inspires me because, even after facing many hardships, she never gave up her passion for hockey and went on to represent India. She was part of the team that won bronze medal at 1986 Asian Games.

What’s your biggest achievement, and the goal?

Winning bronze in discus throw in the Junior World Athletic Championship is my biggest achievement. I was the second Indian athlete ever to win a medal at the championship after Seema Antil. My ultimate goal to win a medal at the Olympics.

3 things that can make India ideal.

Identifying sporting talent in the rural pockets and giving these sportspersons requisite infrastructure, monetary help and proper coaching will help India develop itself into a sporting superpower like China. Government should also put into place effective policies to help talented youngsters. We also need gender equality.

How can youth help achieve that ideal?

The youth can contribute by striving only for the best in whatever field of activity they are engaged in. Individual excellence is related to national prosperity.

When not training, what do you like to do?

I love to spend my spare time with family watching movies and listening to