For the past decade, Sukhchain Singh, a farmer from Bagaria village just outside the border town of Tarn Taran in Punjab, has been taking bank loans to support the training of his daughter, international wrestler Navjot Kaur. Over the years, he has run up a debt of Rs 13 lakh approx. On Friday, 28-years-old, Navjot made her family’s burden lighter by becoming the first Indian woman to win gold in the senior Asian Championship. She beat Miya Imai of Japan 9-1 in a one-sided encounter in the women’s 65 kg freestyle category at Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan to make history. Overcome by emotion, Navjot broke down, even as her coaches hoisted her for a victory lap.

“Our happiness knows no bounds. She has made the nation proud. Now, I want her to bring home an Olympic medal,” said Sukhchain, who had encouraged both his daughters to pursue wrestling even though others in the village thought the sport didn’t befit girls.

Indian women have reached the finals of the prestigious tournament 13 times in the past but have always finished second best. Navjot had reached the final in 2013 and lost. In fact, she had lost to the same Japanese opponent in the first round at Bishkek, but in the final, she hit two four-pointer throws with her signature leg flip move known as the ‘tang’ to break the jinx. Navjot’s signature ‘tang’ move won her gold, first by an Indian woman at the senior Asian Championship.