It’s tough being a professional sportsperson as it is. So, imagine what it takes to be a mother of young twins and still take time out to train for many hours daily. And this is not just regulation training, but training to excel at the international stage. India’s squash ace Dipika Pallikal’s story is an inspirational one.

She made a successful return to the squash court last year, following a four-year break, during which she had twins Kabir and Zian, and won a mixed doubles bronze at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Not satisfied with that achievement, she trained harder thereafter, and the ultimate fruit of her labour is a gold medal in the mixed doubles event here on Thursday.