Punjab pugilist Mandeep Kaur Sandhu has won two gold medals (52 kg category) on Saturday at the Women's World Junior Boxing Championship in Taipei, thus scripting a classic rags to rich storyline.

Indian boxers had a terrific outing in the tournament as they won 7 medals in all, including three golds, a silver and two bronze.

Fifteen year old Mandeep, who hais from Chakkar village, defeated Ireland's Niamh Earley in the final match by a 3-0 margin to win gold. Mandeep was dominant in her category throughout the tournament and registered some thrilling wins.

Mandeep who studies humanities (Class 12) at the Government Senior Secondary School, Chakkar, started playing the sport at the age of 7. Her inspiration was her elder brother (an amateur boxer), who Mandeep used to accompany at the Sher-e-Punjab Sports Academy in Chakkar. The young girl learnt the tricks of the trade watching her brother practice and followed his footsteps in the sport.

Daljit Kaur, Mandeep's mother said to a prominent newspaper that Mandeep never missed her practice sessions and sgtarted her training sessions from 4 am sharp in the morning everyday.

Mandeep's father ( who is a farmer) was unable to pay for her gloves or training equipment, which eventually led to the Sher-e-Punjab Sports Academy sponsoring her cause. Balwant Singh (the academy in-charge) also praised Mandeep for her achievement and touted as her one to watch out for in the near future.