UP woman constable bags 5 medals, including 2 gold, at World Police & Fire Games
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In her first international victory, she clinched two golds in freestyle relay events, two silvers in the 50m and 100m breaststroke, and a bronze in the mixed medley.
Speaking to TOI from the US, Verma said, "My dream is to win an Olympic medal for India. That feeling would be beyond words." She credited her father, a swimming coach, for her success saying, "I began swimming in a small local pool when I was in Class 8. My father taught me everything.
He's been my biggest support." She also thanked her school coach, Ramanand Rai and added that marriage isn't on her mind for now.
Verma joined UP Police in 2023 and is currently posted in Saharanpur.
With her return to India scheduled for Tuesday, her overjoyed family left for Delhi on Monday to give her a grand welcome. "She has made us very proud, and we are thrilled with her success," said her father, Rajeev Verma. "Since she loves to travel, I've planned a surprise trip to her favourite destination.
I can't wait to see her."
Saharanpur SSP Ashish Tiwari congratulated her, saying, "Her achievement has made us proud. Sports not only build personality but also foster teamwork, which is crucial for effective policing. We must encourage more participation in sports."
Verma completed her schooling at Central School, Hapur, and graduated from Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut. She is the eldest of three siblings.
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Her younger sister is a swimming coach at a private school in Noida, and her brother is also an aspiring swimmer.
In the past, UP Police DSP Anuj Kumar Chaudhary, who won silver in wrestling at the 2003 World Police Games, went on to compete in the 2004 Athens Olympics. Punjab Police DSP Avneet Kaur Sidhu, a four-time medallist at the 2017 World Police Games, including one gold, also represented India at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in rifle shooting.
Former CRPF DIG Khajan Singh Tokas, who won silver in the 100m butterfly at the 1988 World Police Games, also competed in the Seoul Olympics the same year.
The WPFG is a biennial Olympic-style competition for law enforcement, firefighters, and first responders, governed by the California Police Athletic Federation, the WPFG board, and the host city. India ranked third in the overall medals tally with 568 medals, including 276 gold. The US topped the list with 1,268 medals (536 gold), followed by Brazil with 723 (260 gold). Athletes from the UP Police secured the highest medal tally for India, winning 95 medals including 45 gold, 34 silver, and 16 bronze.
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