Tarun Nandi/Kolkata

On May 30, when Tahura Khatun won gold in the Women's 4x400m Relay clocking 3:38.07 sec and setting a record at the 22nd U-20 Asian Athletics Championships 2026 held in Hong Kong (28–31 May 2026), Sports Authority of India called it “A Golden Moment for Indian Athletics”.

She was member of the Indian women's team that clinched gold. The three other girls were from Uttar pradesh,

Her personal story of coming from a family with lesser means only served as a reminder of the strength of the human spirit, grit and persevearance.

Tahura, 19, hails from Phulbari in Bhangar, South 24 Parganas. Her father is a small farmer and her mother works as an helper with the government in the Integrated Child development Scheme (ICDS). Financial hardship has always been part of the family’s life. Yet, from this modest background, 19-year-old Tahura Khatun , has gone on to win medals at the national and international levels.

Today, her biggest dream is to one day run on the Olympic track wearing the Indian jersey and carrying the country’s flag.

Tahura lives with her family in a small house in the Bhangar area. With four children in the family, there is little room for luxury. Yet, from this household where every rupee matters, Tahura has made to the international athletics stage.

Tahura Khatun after a match

Tahura has already added several achievements to Bengal’s sporting legacy. After a string of successes at national and international competitions, she now dreams of representing India at the Olympics.

Tahura’s parents say she showed a strong interest in sports from childhood. Her father, Mir Tayeb Ali, recognised his daughter’s potential and decided to give her an opportunity to pursue athletics.

While she was still in primary school, he enrolled her in a sports school, hoping she would be able to develop her talent. That marked the beginning of young Tahura’s journey as a runner.

However, talent alone was not enough. Training, equipment, transportation and participation in competitions all required money. Arranging these expenses was a major challenge for her family.

Tahura khatun after winning a medal 

Despite financial difficulties, her father did everything he could to provide the necessary support. He refused to allow the family’s circumstances to bring her running career to a halt.

The results soon followed.

In 2018, Tahura won a bronze medal at the School Nationals, announcing her arrival on the national athletics scene.

Her list of achievements continued to grow. Between 2021 and 2026, she won a total of 12 medals across various state and national-level competitions, including the Khelo India and National Junior Federation competitions.

Her medal collection includes gold, silver and bronze.

Behind every medal, however, was a long period of training, limited resources and the daily struggle to overcome difficult circumstances.

She represented India in the Women’s 4x400m Relay at the Asian U20 Athletics Championships in Hong Kong. Running for the Indian team, Tahura won the gold medal. The other three members of the four-member Indian relay team came from Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Punjab.

Tahura had raised the Indian flag high on the international athletics stage. Her achievement was widely celebrated in Bengal.

Tahura Khatun receiving an award

But her struggle did not end with international success. While medal-winning athletes from some other states received government awards and recognition, Tahura had to wait for similar recognition in Bengal. Naturally, this left questions about her future.

Eventually, the wait ended.

At an event organised at Nabanna on the occasion of National Sports Day, Tahura was felicitated along with other accomplished sportspersons from the state.

In recognition of her international gold medal for India, she received a cash award of Rs 12.5 lakh from the state government. The official recognition gave the young athlete a fresh boost of confidence.

Since 2022, Tahura has been undergoing training at Salt Lake in Kolkata under the Sports Authority of India (SAI) at government expense.

Alongside her athletic training, she is continuing her education. She is currently a second-year undergraduate student of Political Science at Adamas University in Barasat.

Her days are divided between rigorous training, preparation for competitions and studies. Maintaining a balance between the two, the young athlete from Bengal continues to move forward with determination. She understands that sustaining a place in international athletics requires her to improve herself every day.

For Tahura, becoming an international-level athlete is about more than talent. It requires discipline, regular training, education and the ability to remain focused on a long-term goal.

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The 19-year-old from Bhangar is still running, faster, farther and towards an even bigger dream: wearing the Indian jersey and representing the country on the Olympic track.