Three family deaths in quick succession could have brought Pincky Balhara’s sporting journey to a halt. Instead, the Delhi athlete carried her grief into the competition arena, turned her father’s dream into motivation and went on to win an Asian Games medal.Eight years after her historic silver at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games, Balhara returned to the continental podium on Monday, winning bronze in the women’s -78kg Kurash event at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Games. The bronze is Balhara’s second Asian Games medal in Kurash, following her silver in the women’s -52kg category in Jakarta. She has now become the only Indian athlete to win multiple Asian Games medals in Kurash.
What is Kurash?
Kurash is a traditional Central Asian martial art that originated in the region and is particularly associated with Uzbekistan. It made its Asian Games debut at the 2018 Jakarta Games. The basic objective is simple: throw the opponent onto their back while remaining in a standing position. Unlike judo or Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Kurash does not involve prolonged ground fighting.
From judo mats to Kurash
Born on October 20, 1998, in Neb Sarai, Delhi, Balhara began training in judo when she was nine. Her maternal uncle, Samundar Tokas, a former judoka and coach, played a major role in her early development.She quickly established herself in judo, winning gold at the 2018 Asian Junior Judo Championships. But she missed out on India’s judo squad for the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games. That disappointment opened another door.With Kurash making its Asian Games debut in Jakarta, Balhara entered the trials. The sport, which shares similarities with judo but is contested entirely from a standing position, offered her another route to the continental stage. She made the team and was soon heading to Jakarta.
Three deaths changed everything
But just weeks before the Games, Balhara’s life was shattered. She lost her cousin brother first, followed by her father, who died of a heart attack, and then her grandfather. The three deaths came in quick succession, leaving the teenager struggling to cope with the loss.Her father had been particularly excited about her selection for the Asian Games. After his death, Balhara initially did not want to compete. Her uncle, however, pushed her to continue, reminding her of her father’s hopes for her career.She returned to training while dealing with grief and also had to make the weight for her 52kg category. She later recalled going to the gym at night because she feared people would judge her for returning to training so soon after her father’s death.Balhara eventually made it to the 2018 Asian Games and produced a remarkable run. At just 19, she reached the women’s -52kg Kurash final, becoming one of India’s first Asian Games medallists in the sport. She eventually lost to Uzbekistan’s Gulnor Sulaymanova and settled for silver.Balhara later recalled her father’s prediction before the Games: that she would win silver rather than gold. When she finished second, she remembered his words. At Aichi-Nagoya, Balhara began her campaign with a 3-0 quarterfinal victory over South Korea’s Garam Lim, securing her place in the semifinals and guaranteeing India another Kurash medal.She then faced South Korea’s Sumin Mo in the last four. Mo won 5-0, sending Balhara into the bronze-medal position.Eight years after her first Asian Games medal, Balhara was back on the podium.
Pincky Balhara’s Asian Games record
| Year | Games | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Jakarta | Women’s -52kg | 🥈 Silver |
| 2022 | Hangzhou | Women’s Kurash | Quarterfinal |
| 2026 | Aichi-Nagoya | Women’s -78kg | 🥉 Bronze |
