First in a series of 10 profiles of 2026 Surrey Sports Hall of Fame inductees, celebrated as the hall’s inaugural class during a June 2 ceremony at Surrey City Hall. Prabdeep Sanghera, Athlete Born and raised in Surrey, Prabdeep Sanghera began weightlifting at an early age, inspired by her father, Harnek Singh Sanghera, a former national record-holder in India. Growing up in a family tied to the sport fuelled her goal of representing Canada and continuing her family’s legacy. As a junior, Prabdeep excelled at the Canadian Junior National Championships, winning multiple titles from 2008 to 2013 and earning Best Female Lifter in 2012.
Internationally, she captured gold at the Sub-Youth Pan American Championships in 2006 and 2007 and competed at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games as Canada’s only female weightlifter. She also earned a silver medal at the Junior World Championships and gold at the Junior Commonwealth Championships. At the senior level, she continued to succeed with podium finishes nationally and a silver medal at the 2013 Senior Commonwealth Championships. She represented Canada at the Pan American Games, World Championships, and other international events over more than a decade.
Prabdeep credits her parents and longtime coach, Makhan Sandhu, for her success. Today, her achievements continue to inspire young athletes in Surrey, and she shares her passion for the sport with her daughter. Source: Surrey Sports Hall of Fame