Kusum Thakur, a 23-year-old sprinter from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, won gold at the 29th National Senior Athletics Federation Championship 2026 in Ranchi. She clocked a personal-best 23.94 seconds in the 200-metre race, becoming the first woman athlete from the state to complete the event in under 24 seconds and achieving a significant milestone for Himachal athletics.