For many like Harmilan Kaur Bains, representing India runs in the family

An Express Investigation: For the last couple of months, 15 reporters gathered data about all of India’s Asian Games medallists in Hangzhou. The analysis provided a few clear-cut trends and some fascinating journeys of athletes that highlight those.

39 — No. of medallists who followed in the footsteps of their parents and grandparents to take up a career in sport.

When Harmilan Kaur Bains, 25, was in Class V, her parents had given her a life goal – to win an Asian Games medal. Running was in her blood. Her mother Madhuri Singh won a silver in the 800 metres at the 2002 Busan Asian Games, her father Amandeep is a South Asian Games medalist in the 1500 metres.

In the fast lane to 𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐕𝐄𝐑, @HarmilanBains finishes on the podium of the 19th #AsianGames 🏃‍♀️💨#SonySportsNetwork #Cheer4India #Hangzhou2022 #IssBaar100Paar | @Media_SAI pic.twitter.com/IBjSarohID

— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) October 1, 2023

Harmilan began playing lawn tennis during a time when Sania Mirza was a household name but after four months, her parents asked her to drop out because there was no coach in Hoshiarpur.

“There was immense pressure on me because both my parents were athletes. There were advantages too but my parents were controlling my training schedule, workouts. For example, my coach had fixed a training schedule but my parents also had theirs for me,” Harmilan said. Her father would often turn up at races and shout out instructions during the last lap. Her mother realising that Harmilan had a mind of her own wasn’t as pushy.

When Harmilan won gold in both the 800 metres and the 1500 metres at the Khelo India University Games in 2020, she had told her father not to travel to Bhubaneshwar because she wanted peace of mind before the races.

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“From 5th standard, my parents started to tell me ‘Milan do win a medal at Asian Games’. I was thinking at that time what if I aim to win an Olympic medal. They wanted one medal. I got two of them. After I returned from the Hangzhou Asia Games, papa told me, I am not going to instruct you anymore. You can train the way you want now,” Harmilan said.

When Madhuri was expecting Harmilan, she had to appear for trials for her job at the Punjab State Electricity Board. A few months later she was mother to a daughter who would go one-up on her and bag two medals at the Asiad.

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