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Nagoya Remembers 17-Year-Old Kumkum and 35-Year-Old Savita Punia for Historic Gold Medals
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News18•06-10-2026, 14:52
Nagoya Remembers 17-Year-Old Kumkum and 35-Year-Old Savita Punia for Historic Gold Medals
- •Seventeen-year-old archer Kumkum made history by winning a recurve gold medal at the Asian Games after defeating South Korea in a thrilling finish.
- •Experienced 35-year-old goalkeeper Savita Punia delivered a miraculous save during a penalty stroke to secure the hockey gold and a direct ticket to the LA28 Olympics.
- •Kumkum demonstrated nerves of steel under pressure, proving that top Asian archers can be beaten when kept under constant pressure.
- •Savita, who considered retiring from the sport just two years ago, made a stunning comeback to cement her legacy as an Indian sporting legend.
Key Questions Answered
Kumkum won a do-or-die set to tie the score at 5-5 and secured the gold medal by shooting a perfect 10 in the shoot-off against her South Korean opponent.
Savita Punia leaped to her left to block a critical penalty stroke against China, preserving India's lead and securing both the gold medal and a qualification ticket for the LA28 Olympics.
Just two years prior to the event, Savita Punia was on the verge of quitting the sport and had almost decided to retire before close acquaintances convinced her to stay.
