Srinagar, Aug. 4 -- Owais Yaqoob came home to flowers, applause and smiling faces. The welcome felt genuine because people were hailing much more than a fighter returning after a big win.

They were celebrating a young Kashmiri who turned discipline into success and earned his place on one of the world's toughest sporting stages.

That homecoming stood out because Kashmir rarely celebrates its sporting heroes with such warmth.

Talented cricketers, footballers, skiers and martial artists have made the region proud for years, though many returned to little public excitement.

This time felt different.

Children lined up for photographs, supporters placed garlands around his neck and families came together simply to say, "Well done."

That ...