Missed live telecast, but he created history, can watch his match again & again: Weightlifter Gurdeep Singh’s family

As Indians all over the world rejoiced at weightlifter Gurdeep Singh’s stellar performance in the Commonwealth Games, which won him a bronze medal in the 109+ kg weight category, his family in Majri village of Khanna missed the live telecast of the event due to a broadcast disruption.

“We were sitting in front of the television but the broadcast got disrupted. We got to know about Gurdeep’s victory from our relatives and friends,” said his father, Bhag Singh while adding that the phones haven’t stopped ringing ever since.

“As soon as the news broke out, villagers gathered around our house with sweets and started dancing to the beats of dhol,” the proud father said.

The family also received congratulatory messages from President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann.

Though the family couldn’t watch his performance live, they were able to catch it later during a repeat telecast. Ask if they regret having missed it, his father proudly says, “He has created history. Now, we can watch his performance anywhere, anytime.”

He added, “Gurdeep has made the whole country proud. My heart swells with pride when people ask him for a selfie.”

Bhag Singh added that he hopes that Gurdeep’s win would inspire other youngsters too.

The weightlifter is set to return to India on Saturday, and visit his village on Sunday or Monday.

Residents of Majri and surrounding areas have planned a victory rally on tractors in his honour.

Youngest of 3 siblings, he is his sisters’ pride

While Gurdeep’s family hails from Takhran Punia, they shifted to Majri village in 2008 in hope of better education and opportunities for him.

Gurdeep showed an inclination to sports from a young age. In 2009, his cousin Shubhkaranjit Singh, who was also into sports, introduced Gurdeep to weightlifting.

The youngest of three siblings, Gurdeep works with the Indian Railways in Maharashtra.

His two elder sisters are married. The sisters said that the Commonwealth medal is the perfect Rakhi gift for them.

The weightlifter is said to be fond of cars and Punjabi songs.

Gurdeep holds three national records in the 105+ weightlifting category — Snatch 175kg (recorded in Gold Coast Commonwealth Games), Clean and Jerk 217kg (recorded in National Games at Karnatka) and Total 388kg (World Championships, Anaheim). He was not able to clinch a medal in the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games 2018 and had to settle at the fourth place. He had also lost an opportunity to participate in the Asian Games due to a back injury.