New Delhi: Besides the Indians, the country will also have its eyes on Canadian water polo goalkeeper Jessica Gaudreault at the Paris Olympics. Born in Ottawa, Gaudreault has roots in Punjab’s Fatehgarh Sahib. Her mother Ajit Kaur Tiwana was born in Chanarthal Kalan, which is the biggest village in Fatehgarh Sahib district.
Gaudreault’s tryst with water polo began at the age of 14 in 2008 when her parents enrolled her in a summer camp. There the little girl showed interest in water sports and it was no looking back for Gaudreault as she made waves in the Canadian water polo circuit over the years.
In 2012, Gaudreault played an integral part in Canada’s fifth-place finish at the inaugural FINA World Youth Championship. Five years later, Gaudreault helped Canada bag a silver medal at the FINA World League Super Final. She was named the tournament’s best goalkeeper.
Gaudreault, who trains at the Capital Wave Swimming and Water Polo Club, was also a part of Canada’s silver medal-winning campaigns 2015 (Toronto), 2019 (Lima) and 2023 (Santiago) Pan-American Games. The 30-year-old graduated in Chemistry from Indiana University in 2019.
Three Years later, she joined the University of Michigan team as a coach, making Gaudreault the first Asian-Indian woman to coach in the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Canada have been clubbed alongside Hungary, Australia, China and Netherlands in Group A at Paris Olympics.
Gaudreault maternal grandfather Amarjit Singh Sathi said he is happy that her granddaughter has been selected in the Canada’s Olympic team. He also added the by winning a medal for Canada, she will also make Punjab proud.
