Pincky Balhara in tears after Asian Games bronze in Nagoya; mother says gold remains the goal
Pincky Balhara broke down after settling for a bronze medal in the -78kg event at the Asian Games in Nagoya on Monday, speaking to her mother by phone as she struggled to accept missing out on gold. The semifinal defeat to South Korea's Sumin Mo by 0-5 left Balhara with a bronze in Nagoya.
Balhara added the -78kg bronze to a silver she won in the women's -52kg category at the 2018 Asian Games, giving her a second Asian Games medal overall. Her mother, Suresh, said Balhara decided to take up judo in Class 9 and that the family enrolled her in the sport. "From the ninth grade, she had decided that she wanted to play judo, so we got her into judo. This is her third Asian Games. Her dream has always been to win a gold medal at the Asian Games," Suresh said.
The bronze provided little consolation after the 0-5 semifinal loss, and Balhara was emotional when she rang her mother following confirmation of the medal. "When she called me after confirming the bronze this morning, she was sobbing and crying because her dream is gold. She only wants to win gold, so she is not happy or satisfied with the bronze," Suresh told PTI from her residence in Delhi on Monday.
Balhara's brother, Nilesh, described the family's pride and noted the hard work behind her latest podium finish. "This is a very happy moment for our country. My sister has worked very hard. Last time also, she missed out on a medal. This time, after so many years, she has won a medal again," he said, and he urged the government to consider her for an Arjuna Award. "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 bestowing her with the Arjuna Award," he added.
Balhara's paternal grandmother Bala spoke of her pride and local recognition, saying she follows matches and tells neighbours about her granddaughter. "I am proud of her. I am very happy that she has made a name for herself across India. What more can I say? I live in Najafgarh and tell everyone, 'My granddaughter is here.' I take the newspaper and show it to everyone. Everyone asks me who she is, and I tell them she is my granddaughter. She has made me very proud," Bala said. She also noted there is a poster of Balhara in the village: "There is also a poster of her in my village. My neighbours ask me who she is, and I tell them she is my granddaughter," Bala said.
A Press Trust of India video accompanying the coverage described Balhara as an Indian kurash athlete and showed her family expressing pride while she was left in tears after winning bronze.
Balhara leaves Nagoya with a second Asian Games medal, and her family say the disappointment of bronze has only strengthened her determination. "She says, 'If I don't get it this time, I will win gold next time,'" her mother recalled.