At 19, Pincky Balhara lost three family members before his Asian Games debut; She is now the only Indian woman to have won multiple Kurash medals

Bronze medalist Pincky Balhara of India (AP Photo) Three family deaths in quick succession could have stopped Pincky Balhara’s sporting journey. Instead, the Delhi-based athlete took her grief into the competitive arena, turning her father’s dream into motivation and winning an Asian Games medal.Eight years after her historic silver at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games, Balhara returned to the continental stage on Monday when she won bronze in the women’s 78kg Kurash event at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Games. The bronze is Balhara’s second medal from the Asian Games in Kurash after silver in the women’s 52 kg category in Jakarta. She has now become the only Indian athlete to win multiple medals from the Kurash Asian Games.

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 your opponent onto their back while remaining standing. Unlike Judo or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Kurash does not involve prolonged ground fighting.

From judo mats to Kurash

Born on 20 October 1998 in Neb Sarai, Delhi, Balhara started 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 rose to prominence in judo, winning gold at the 2018 Asian Junior Judo Championships. However, she missed out on the Indian judo team for the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games. That disappointment opened another door.When Kurash made his debut at the Asian Games in Jakarta, Balhara entered the trials. The sport, which shares similarities with judo but is competed entirely from a standing position, offered her another route to the continental stage. She formed a team and was soon heading to Jakarta.

Three deaths changed everything

But just weeks before the Games, Balhar’s life fell apart. First, she lost a cousin, 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 come to terms with the loss.Her father was particularly excited about her selection for the Asian Games. After his death, Balhara initially did not want to compete. However, her uncle pushed her to continue, reminding her of her father’s hopes for her career.She returned to training after dealing with grief and also having to make weight for her 52kg category. She later recalled going to the gym at night because she was afraid 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 race. At just 19, she reached the Kurash Women’s 52kg final, becoming one of India’s first Asian Games medalists. She eventually lost to Uzbekistan’s Gulnor Sulayman and settled for silver.Balhara later recalled her father’s prediction before the Games: that she would win silver rather than gold. When the second was over, she remembered his words. In Aichi-Nagoya, Balhara began her campaign with a 3-0 quarter-final victory over Garam Lim of South Korea, securing a place in the semi-finals and guaranteeing India another medal from Kurash.In the last four, she faced the South Korean Sumin Mo. Mo won 5-0 to send Balhara to the bronze medal.Eight years after her first Asian Games medal, Balhara is back on the podium.

Asian Games Record Pincky Balhara

YearGamesCategoryResult2018Jakarta Women’s -52kg 🥈 Silver2022HangzhouWomen’s Kurash Quarterfinals2026Aichi-Nagoya, women -78 kg🥉 bronze