A 29-year-old Kiwi Indian having a gold medal in wrestling has passed away in Auckland on the night of Wednesday, September 9.

The man has been identified as Gagandeep Khurda, belonging  to Khurdan district of Hoshiarpur and came to New Zealand in 2011. He was working as a taxi driver in Auckland.

Gagandeep was a renowned wrestler and kabaddi player with several accolades and awards to his name. His parents live in India, and a brother in the USA.

Among other family members, Gagandeep’s uncle and cousins live in New Zealand and are closely attached to the Supreme Sikh Society, Takanini Gurudwara, Auckland.

Close contact of Gagandeep told the Indian Weekender that Gagandeep being national gold medallist in wrestling was supposed to travel to the USA for a competition in December 2019, but could not go because of his pending NZ Citizenship documents.

“Gagandeep was cheerful and full of energy, and he will be missed deeply by all of us in the community. It is tragic to see such a beautiful soul leave us untimely,” Daljit Singh from Takanini Gurudwara said.

Community is mourning his sudden death and Kabaddi Federation of New Zealand has offered its condolences to Gagan’s family here and back in India.