Jessica Gaudreault's mother Ajit Kaur Tiwana was born in Chanarthal Kalan, the largest village of Fatehgarh Sahib district in Punjab.

New Delhi: Along with the Indians, Canada's water polo goalkeeper Jessica Gaudreault will also be eyeing the country at the Paris Olympics. Born in Ottawa, Gaudreault has roots in Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab. Her mother Ajit Kaur Tiwana was born in Chanarthal Kalan, the largest village in Fatehgarh Sahib district.

Gaudreault's pursuit of water polo began in 2008 at the age of 14 when her parents enrolled her in a summer camp. There the little girl took an interest in water sports and Gaudreault never looked back as she made waves in the Canadian water polo circuit over the years.

In 2012, Gaudreault played an integral role in Canada's fifth-place finish at the inaugural FINA World Youth Championships. Five years later, Gaudreault helped Canada win a silver medal at the FINA World League Super Final. She was adjudged the best goalkeeper of the tournament.

Gaudreault, who trains at the Capital Wave Swimming and Water Polo Club, was also part of Canada's silver medal-winning campaigns at the 2015 (Toronto), 2019 (Lima) and 2023 (Santiago) Pan-American Games. The 30-year-old graduated from Indiana University in 2019 with a degree in chemistry.

Three years later, she joined the University of Michigan as a coach, making Gaudreault the first Asian-Indian woman to coach in the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Canada has been drawn in Group A at the Paris Olympics along with Hungary, Australia, China and the Netherlands.

For Amarjit Singh, Gaudreault's grandfather said, “I am delighted that her grandson has been selected for Canada's Olympic team.” He added that winning a medal for Canada should also make Punjab proud.