Komal Waghmare, 22, a resident of Kharghar, returned home on Saturday night with two bronze medals from the Tokyo Deaflympics 2025, marking one of the proudest moments for Navi Mumbai. On Sunday morning, Komal visited her training ground at the Lakshaya Shooting Club, Panvel, where she thanked her coaches and revisited the lanes of her four-year-long struggle that led to the podium finish. Komal won two bronze medals — one individual and one team — at the Deaflympics (DIPLOMA) held in Tokyo from November 15 to November 26.
Accidental beginning
Komal’s father, Head Constable Milind Waghmare — serving with the Navi Mumbai Police since 1997 and currently posted at the ACP (Traffic) office in Konkan Bhavan — recalls the day her destiny changed.
Recently, Komal was awarded the Maharshi Karve Khel Ratna Award at SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai
“In 2019, after her Std X, we took her to Karnala Sports Club for a summer camp. She was also good at football and kabaddi, so we were looking for those. But the camp only had archery and air rifle shooting,” he said. After a few days of camp and holding the rifle, the coach said that she had a natural talent and she could be nurtured as an air rifle shooter.
No celebrations
Komal studied at Ruia College in Matunga, but trained in Panvel. Her routine was punishing. “I travelled from Matunga to Panvel by train, got down at Khandeshwar, took my scooty from the parking lot and went for training,” she said. “I never got off at Kharghar… because if I came home, training would suffer.”
Komal at the Tokyo Deaflympics 2025. PIC/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Her parents said she avoided birthdays, marriages, and family functions for years to maintain discipline. “She struggled a lot, but she never complained,” said her mother, Archana, a teacher at Gyanjyot High School in Kharghar.
Fighting hearing impairment
Komal was born with a 62 per cent hearing impairment and studied at a regular school. She underwent surgery in 2019. “My treatment happened during COVID-19, but went smoothly,” Komal said. “My disability never stopped me. In fact, I feel it made me stronger.”
Sacrifices, financial burden
Shooting is an expensive sport, and Komal’s father had to take loans to support her. “I took loans from the Police Patpedhi and my PF (provident fund). I was ready to do anything for her,” Milind said emotionally.
Komal Waghmare’s Unique Disability ID, which mentions that she has 62 per cent disability
Her younger sister Chinmayee, 17, also a student at Ruia College, has now taken up pistol shooting, inspired by Komal. Her elder sister Gayatri, 25, is a practising lawyer. Komal has been training professionally since 2021 under Suma Shirur, former India team coach, and coach Smita Kamble at Lakshaya Shooting Club.
She also thanked the SNDT Women’s University faculty, including Sports Director Dr Kavita Kholkade, Vice-Chancellor Dr Ujwalla Chakradeo, and Head of Psychology Dr Nilesh Thakare Komal said happily that the win has gained national recognition with Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeting about it. “Winning two bronze medals for India is a very proud moment for me,” Komal said.
Eyeing gold
Komal Waghmare (in orange top), with her sister, father Milind, and mother Archana. PICS/AMARJEET SINGH
Komal now aims for bigger goals. “My dream is to win gold at the 2029 Summer Deaflympics in Athens and also gold at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics,” she said. Her father added, “Komal fought in silence and made India listen.”
About Komal
10m Air Rifle (Individual): Bronze
10m Air Rifle (Team): Bronze
Event: Deaflympics 2025 (DIPLOMA), Tokyo, Nov 15-26
Training: Lakshaya Shooting Club, Panvel
Coaches: Suma Shirur and Smita Kamble
Education: Master’s in Psychology, SNDT Women’s University
