The championship featured only those athletes from India who had successfully achieved the qualifying standards set by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), making the competition highly competitive and prestigious.
Kusum had also showcased an exceptional form in the 100-metre category by winning the heat race with a personal best timing of 11.71 seconds but she unfortunately could not compete for a medal in the final due to personal reasons.
This is not the first time that Kusum has made headlines with her outstanding performance. In 2024, at the age of 21, she had won a gold medal in the 200-metre race in the Inter-University Athletics Championship held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. She had completed the race in 24.13 seconds, which was considered a remarkable achievement for the state.
Kusum’s journey, however, has not been easy. She says that her passion for running began in Class IV when she started practicing alongside her brother, Harish Chander. Since childhood, she had keen interest in sports. But during the Covid-19 pandemic, severe health complications forced doctors to advise her against running. As a result, she remained away from the track for nearly two years.
Despite setbacks, Kusum refused to give up. With unwavering determination, relentless hard work and the blessings of Dev Shri Sat Balakameshwar Banyuri, she made a remarkable comeback and ultimately achieved national glory. She dedicates her gold medal victory to the deity.
Kusum gives the credit of her success to her parents, coach, siblings and the deity. At present, she trains with coach Ankit Chambiyal at the Dharamsala Athletics Stadium. She says that she wants to prove wrong those who believe that sprinting is not meant for children from hilly regions. According to her, success in sports or competitive examinations depends greatly on mindset, positive thinking and manifestation.
“Whatever you do, do it with positivity,” says Kusum. “Hard work is our responsibility while success is in God’s hands. If we work with honesty, dedication and sincerity, success will definitely follow,” she adds.
Kusum’s achievement has made Mandi proud and her inspiring story is motivating young athletes from hilly region to dream bigger and believe in themselves.
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