Mansi Mohite of Maharashtra overcame leg numbness from a jellyfish sting during the swimming leg to win the gold medal in the women’s triathlon at the 37th National Games on Sunday at the Miramar beach.
With her statement, the 21-year-old guided Maharashtra to a 1-2 podium finish with an aggregate time of 1:14.06s. Sanjana Joshi won the silver when Gujarat’s Pragyna Mohan, the gold winner from the previous event, was disqualified for using outside assistance to fix her broken bicycle pedal.
Mohite won his fourth gold medal in the National Games with this one. By winning the Biathlon women’s, Biathlon team, and Biathlon mixed relay events last week, she had successfully achieved a hat-trick of medals in the Modern Pentathlon.
“This gold medal holds great significance for me as I placed second in the previous race and have dedicated the last 12 months to altering the medal’s color,” said Mohite, who had to be admitted to the hospital shortly after the event due to total numbness in her leg.
“I started feeling numb by the time I changed for the cycling leg after the jellyfish bit me with just over 100 meters remaining in the swimming leg.” However, I pushed myself since I was in the lead group and promised myself that I would at least try to complete the race,” the woman said.
Typically, swimmers use a specific oil to ward against jellyfish. Mohite had also smeared the oil all over her body, except her bandaged ankle from an injury sustained during the Modern Pentathlon tournament.
When Mohite went onto the Miramar Beach Road to conclude the race, it was obvious that she was having difficulty. Her mother encouraged her to keep going despite the discomfort, since Mohite had a lead of over 300 meters over Pragya Mohan, who was pursuing her. After finishing the marathon, she finally passed out and needed to be brought to the hospital.
“My mother has been my staunchest ally and she saw that I was having difficulties. Thus, she began jogging with me and encouraging me,” said Mohite, who receives his training at Pune’s Kreeda Prabodhini, the State Government’s facility.
The 21-year-old’s coach, Balaji Kendre, encouraged her to try triathlon after she excelled in water polo and swimming and even won gold for the state.
When Mohite was twelve years old, he was enrolled at Kreeda Prabodhini and wanted to join the football squad. However, the coach was pleased by his stamina and wanted him to prepare for a triathlon. Mohite is delighted that he made the transition.
After spending a few hours under observation, Mohite was released from the hospital and is now looking forward to a day of recuperation before returning to the National Games to attempt to win the mixed relay.
Women’s football champion Odisha defeated Manipur.
At Tilak Maidan in Vasco, Goa, on Sunday, Odisha became victorious in the 37th National Games Women’s Football tournament, defeating Manipur 4-2 in the tiebreaker.
After the normal session ended with the score tied at one, the two teams proceeded to the tiebreaker. In penalties, Odisha emerged victorious 4-2. Odisha has now won the gold medal in women’s football at the National Games twice.
International talent Pyari Xaxa gave Odisha the lead in the 51st minute after a goalless first half. However, Nongmeikapam Sibani Devi of Manipur tied the score in the 79th minute.
Pyari Xaxa, Grace Lalrampari Hauhnar, Bannya Kabiraj, and S Lynda Kom scored the first four penalty goals in the tiebreaker. Through Wangkhem Linthoingambi Devi and Phanjoubam Nirmala Devi, Manipur was able to locate the objective.
Bengal was defeated 1-0 by Haryana in the bronze medal game, with Tannu scoring the game-winning goal in the 36th minute.
