Srinagar, Aug. 22 -- From rowing a Shikara at Dal Lake to paddling his way to national glory, Mohsin Ali Kandhas has come a long way.

The 17-year-old made Jammu and Kashmir proud, winning the first gold medal of the Khelo India Water Sports Festival 2025 on Thursday.

He won gold in the 1000-metre men's Kayaking event, clocking 4:12:717. It was a career highlight for the youngster.

As Mohsin stepped out of Dal Lake, Mohsin was greeted by ajubilant home crowd, even as he failed to hold back tears of joy and hugged his coach Bilquis Mir, a former international and an Olympic judge.

This was an overwhelming moment for Mohsin, a 12th standard student of SP Higher Secondary School, who, to fulfill his dream of representing India at the inte...