A Bamboo Bow, a Father’s Motorcycle & a Golden Dream: The Rise of Kumkum Mohod

One arrow remained. South Korea’s Oh Yejin had shot an eight. Kumkum Mohod answered with a perfect ten.

The 17-year-old from Amravati won the women’s individual recurve gold at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya on Saturday, becoming the first Indian woman to claim an individual recurve medal at the continental event. With the final tied 5-5 after five sets, the teenager settled the contest in a single-arrow shoot-off.

Her explanation for handling the occasion was simple: the opponent’s reputation had no place in her shooting routine.

“Everyone talks about Korea. But I never look at who is playing in front of me,” Kumkum told ANI after the victory. “I just have to complete my process, follow it, stay in my own zone while playing, and just enjoy that moment by staying in the present.”

KUMKUM MOHOD’S THREE-MEDAL ASIAN GAMES

The individual title completed a campaign that brought Kumkum two gold medals and a silver.

On Friday, she joined Ankita Bhakat and Kirti Sharma to beat South Korea 5-3 in the women’s recurve team final. The Indian trio had defeated China 5-1 in the semifinals.

Kumkum also partnered Dhiraj Bommadevara to mixed recurve team silver, with India losing 3-5 to China’s Zhu Jingyi and Li Mengqi in the final.

Bommadevara’s reassurance helped her approach that contest with confidence.

“Bhaiya [elder brother] said that just think that it’s only the two of us and he said he believes in you more than himself. He believed in me, and I believed in him,” she recalled. Their focus was on shooting freely and enjoying the moment.

FROM A BAMBOO BOW TO RECURVE GOLD

Kumkum began archery in 2018, training with a bamboo bow and basic equipment before moving to recurve after four years on the Indian circuit.

Her family supported her ambitions despite financial constraints. Her father, Anil Mohod, often took her to tournaments on his motorcycle.

Progress was uneven. During a difficult spell, her accuracy deserted her and her confidence followed.

“There was a huge downfall in between, meaning I wasn’t hitting the target at all and my form was off,” she said. Rebuilding required work on both her strength and shooting technique.

Her coach in Amravati, Praful Dange, helped her through that period by retaining the belief she had lost.

“Back then I didn’t believe in myself in those situations. Praful [Dange] sir believed in me a lot, so I started believing in myself,” Kumkum said.

As that confidence returned, she began shooting with less anxiety about the outcome. Dange also worked extensively with her on her shooting skills.

LOS ANGELES 2028 REMAINS THE BIG TARGET

Kumkum’s individual gold also secured an Olympic quota place for India at Los Angeles 2028. For the teenager, however, the achievement leaves a larger ambition unfinished.

“The dream isn’t fully fulfilled yet. The main dream I have for the Olympics is still left,” she said.

Her immediate schedule includes the Archery Premier League and national competitions. Three Asian Games medals have strengthened her determination to increase the work.

“For now, the hard work must continue. I need to work twice as hard right now,” she said.

With inputs from ANI