‘Olympic gold jeetna hai’: Kumkum Mohod’s big dream after ending Korea’s stranglehold in archery at Asian Games 2026 | Asian Games 2026 News
NEW DELHI: For years, Kumkum Mohod had watched South Korean archers closely, studying their technique and trying to understand what made them so dominant in recurve archery. She observed their movements, learnt from their approach and looked at the qualities that had made them role models for young Indian archers like her.But when the 17-year-old stood on the shooting line at the Asian Games, just seconds away from releasing her arrow, she had a message for herself: the Koreans were not unbeatable.“Maine match shuru hone se khud ko bol diya tha, woh 10 maarte hain, to mujhe bhi 10 hi maarna hai [I told myself before the match began: they shoot 10s too, so I have to shoot 10s as well],” Asian Games 2026 gold medallist archer Kumkum Mohod told TimesofIndia.com in an exclusive interview.The 17-year-old made history by winning the women’s individual recurve gold at the Asian Games, beating the Republic of Korea’s Oh Yejin in the final.In doing so, she ended South Korea’s hold on the individual recurve gold at the Games and helped India secure a quota place for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.Before leaving for Aichi-Nagoya, Kumkum had already imagined herself standing on the top of the podium. She had also visualised beating her inspiration, South Korea’s Kang Chaeyoung, whom she eventually defeated in the quarterfinals on her way to the historic gold.Kumkum became the first Indian to win an individual recurve gold at the Asian Games. She also won gold in the women’s recurve team event and silver in the mixed team event with Dhiraj Bommadevara, finishing the Games with three medals.“Until now, no one had managed to do it. But we Indians have done it. We have put the Koreans on a pedestal, as if they are the only ones who can do it and hit those scores. Before the match began, I told myself that they shoot 10s too, and we have to shoot 10s as well,” she said.
Kumkum Mohod
Manifestation: ‘I had been visualising this for a year’
For Kumkum, the feeling of becoming an Asian Games champion is still sinking in. The young archer said the result did not come as a complete surprise because she had been visualising the moment for a year, even before she stepped onto the field in Japan.For a year leading up to the Asian Games, she repeated the same words five times before going to sleep: “Kumkum, Asian Games gold jeetna hai” (Kumkum, you have to win Asian Games gold). She would then say “Hare Krishna”, reflecting her devotion to Lord Krishna.Her belief was tested against some of the world’s best archers. Kumkum defeated South Korea’s reigning world champion and Olympic medallist Kang Chaeyoung 6-3 in the quarterfinals before beating China’s Zhu Jingyi 6-2 in the semifinals.In the final, she held her nerve against South Korea’s Oh Yejin. The contest ended 5-5 after five sets, forcing a shoot-off. Oh shot an eight, while Kumkum hit a 10 to seal the gold medal.Kumkum had been trailing during the match and needed to win the fifth set to stay in contention. She responded by shooting a perfect 30 to force the shoot-off before producing the decisive 10.“The final went really well. I was trailing, but I remained strong. I believed in myself and knew I could do it because I had been visualising this for the past year. I kept imagining that I would face Kang in a match and that it would be a final,” Kumkum said.When Oh shot an eight in the shoot-off, Kumkum had to focus on her own shot rather than the possibility of winning. She knew she had to deliver, regardless of what her opponent had scored.“I had made up my mind that day that I had to prove myself. My first thought was, ‘Kumkum, you still have to shoot a good shot.’ Even if she had shot a 10, I was very confident at that moment,” she said.“I enjoyed that moment while shooting. There is always some pressure, but I tried to reduce it. Anyone who says there is no pressure is absolutely wrong. Sport is about nerves and thrilling moments. There is always adrenaline, and you have to overcome it. The person who manages to do that wins,” she said.
Kumkum Mohod (AP Photo)
Road to the final: Learning from the best, then beating her
Kumkum’s journey to the gold medal included victories over some of the world’s leading archers. But one of the most memorable moments for her was beating Kang, an archer she had admired and learnt from since the beginning of her career.Kang had been Kumkum’s inspiration because of her technique, focus, composure and ability to deliver under pressure. Kumkum paid particular attention to her release and follow-through, as well as the way she maintained her technique in crucial moments.At the Asian Games, however, the young Indian found herself competing against the very archer she had looked up to for years – and came out on top.“Kang’s shooting technique is very good. Her release is excellent, and she does not drop her bow after the follow-through. Her shooting is very strong,” Kumkum said.So, the victory carried special meaning. After the match, Kumkum exchanged a high-five with her opponent and told her, “Good shooting, good shooting.”Kang smiled and congratulated her.“I have learnt a lot from her, and I was happy. She is a legend of the sport. She has made her country proud by winning medals, and now I have done the same. I am proud that I have made my country proud,” Kumkum said.
‘My family always supported me’
Behind Kumkum’s success is a family that continued to believe in her, even when her performances were not going as planned.Her father, Anil Mohod, runs a business making sweet boxes. As Kumkum was good at academics, her father initially wanted her to focus on her studies. But when he saw her growing interest in archery, her family supported her sporting ambitions while ensuring that she did not neglect her education.Kumkum is the couple’s only child and is currently in Class 12.“I joined archery, and within six months, I won a medal. After that, I learnt about the Olympics and understood what the sport could lead to. I also learnt that India had not won a medal in this event. My interest grew, and I started working harder,” she said.Her family’s faith in her remained strong even during difficult periods.“When I was not doing well, my family told me that I could do it. They have supported me a lot, and I never faced any problems because of them,” she said.Now, following her historic achievement, the Mohod household has been welcoming a steady stream of visitors. Neighbours, friends, relatives, sports associations and fellow sportspersons have been arriving to congratulate the family.Kumkum said the celebrations have kept everyone busy, with little time to rest.“It feels like a wedding atmosphere at home. People keep coming and going, and we are hardly getting any sleep. All thanks to Krishna ji,” she said.
Gold medallist India’s Kumkum Anil Mohod, Ankita Bhakat and Kirti celebrate on the podium during the victory ceremony. (Reuters Photo)
Beyond archery: Drawing, crafts and a dream before sleep
Away from the archery range, Kumkum enjoys spending time with a paintbrush and a colour palette. Drawing and craftwork are among her favourite hobbies, giving her a break from the demands of training and competition.“I like drawing and crafting. I also enjoy making things with my hands,” she said.She also enjoys watching television shows and films. Her favourites include Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah and sports-based films such as Dangal, Mary Kom, Ghoomer and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag.Unlike many teenagers, Kumkum has never had Facebook or Instagram accounts. She also disabled YouTube a few months before the Asian Games. Drawing, craftwork and reading are among the activities she enjoys away from the range.“I never had Facebook or Instagram. I also disabled YouTube a few months before the Asian Games. My crafts, drawing and reading books help me a lot,” she said.
The ultimate dream: Olympic gold
Kumkum has already achieved a major milestone by winning three medals at the Asian Games and helping India secure a quota place for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. But she has a bigger dream — winning India’s first Olympic gold medal in archery.The words she repeated before going to sleep for a year – “Kumkum, Asian Games gold jeetna hai” – now reflect a new ambition: “Kumkum, Olympic gold jeetna hai.”At home, a small message on the wall serves as a reminder of what she wants to achieve.“LA 2028 gold is the target. That is the dream. I do not want to think too far ahead just yet, but that is the target. I will work hard for it and strengthen myself mentally,” Kumkum signed off.
(Credit: Special arrangement)
