Pincky Balhara breaks down after Asiad’s bronze, mother says gold was always a dream

Pincky Balhara broke down on the phone with her mother after she settled for a bronze medal at the Nagoya Asian Games on Monday and was unable to fulfill the gold medal dream she had carried for years.

Balhara, who won silver in the women’s 52kg category at the 2018 Asian Games, added another medal to her collection in the 78kg event. But the bronze brought little consolation after she lost 5-0 to South Korea’s Sumin Mo in the semi-finals.

Despite this, her mother Suresh said Balhara was devastated she secured her second medal of the Asian Gameswith gold remaining the only goal on her mind.

“When she called me this morning after the bronze confirmation, she was sobbing and crying because her dream is gold. She just wants to win gold, so she is not happy or satisfied with bronze,” Suresh told PTI from her residence in Delhi on Monday.

For Balhara, the pursuit of a gold medal took years. Her mother recalled that she decided on judo in the 9th grade, after which her family signed her up for the sport.

“Since ninth grade she decided she wanted to play judo, so we brought her to judo. This is her third Asian Games. It has always been her dream to win a gold medal in the Asian Games,” said Suresh.

Even after missing out in Nagoya, Balhara remains determined to pursue this elusive gold.

“She says, ‘If I don’t get it this time, I’ll win the gold next time,'” her mother recalled.

A BROTHER SEEKS THE PRIZE OF ARJUNA

Balhara’s brother Nilesh was also emotional while talking about her latest achievement and highlighted the difficult journey she has taken in combat sports.

Although the bronze was not the medal Balhara had hoped for, Nilesh said the achievement was a source of pride for the family and the country.

“It is a very happy moment for our country. My sister has worked very hard. She also missed out on a medal last time. This time, after so many years, she won the medal again,” he said.

VIDEO | New Delhi: Pincka Balhar’s family was proud of her second Asian Games medal, but the Indian hurler herself was left in tears after winning bronze as her sights remain firmly set on gold at the continental showpiece, her mother said on Monday. Her mother who became pic.twitter.com/jAWYNVd0Gh— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 28, 2026

Nilesh also urged the Indian government to consider his sister for the Arjuna award, citing her record and achievements.

“I would request the Indian government to consider my sister for the Arjuna award. I am very happy and proud of her,” he said.

“I request the government to see her past record and achievements and seriously consider awarding Arjuna,” he added.

GRANDMA PRIDE

Balhara’s paternal grandmother Bala also spoke with pride about her granddaughter’s success. She said she regularly watches her matches and proudly tells people around her about Balhar’s sporting career.

“I am proud of her. I am very happy that she has made a name for herself all over India. What more can I say? I live in Najafgarh and I tell everyone, ‘My granddaughter is here’.” I will take the newspaper and show it to everyone. Everyone asks me who she is and I tell them she’s my granddaughter. She made me very proud,” said Bala.

Balhara’s achievements have also found a place closer to home, with a poster of the judoka displayed in her village.

“There is also a poster of her in my village. Neighbors ask me who she is and I tell them she is my granddaughter,” Bala said.

For now, Balhara leaves Nagoya with his second medal from the Asian Games. But according to her family, the disappointment of the bronze only strengthened the dream that has driven her since she first took up judo: to stand on the top podium.

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