Kumkum Mohod: 'I Never Look at Who is Playing in Front of Me'
Teenage sensation Kumkum Mohod makes history with an individual recurve gold at the Asian Games, defeating South Korea in a dramatic shoot-off.
In a stunning display of composure and mental fortitude, 17-year-old archery sensation Kumkum Mohod has scripted history at the Asian Games. By clinching the women's individual recurve gold medal, the teenager from Amravati became the first Indian woman to ever secure an individual recurve medal at the prestigious event.
The victory was not just a triumph of skill, but a victory of mindset. Speaking after her historic win, Mohod revealed that she intentionally ignores the intimidating reputation of her opponents, specifically the powerhouse archery nation of South Korea. "Everyone talks about Korea. But I never look at who is playing in front of me," she told ANI. "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."
A Dramatic Shoot-off Victory
The final was a nerve-wracking encounter against South Korea's Oh Yejin. After both archers finished the five sets tied at 5-5, the gold was decided by a single-arrow shoot-off. The tension reached a breaking point when Oh Yejin shot an 8 in the sudden-death round. However, Mohod held her nerve under immense pressure, firing a perfect 10 to seal the gold for India.
This individual triumph marks the pinnacle of an extraordinary campaign for the young archer, who has secured a total of three medals during the games:
- Gold: Women's Recurve Team
- Silver: Mixed Recurve Team
- Gold: Women's Individual Recurve
Overcoming Adversity and Finding Form
Mohod's journey to the top has been far from easy. Having started her archery journey in 2018 with a bamboo bow and basic equipment, she faced significant financial hurdles. Her father, Anil Mohod, often transported her to various tournaments on his motorcycle to support her dreams.
The path was also marked by technical struggles. Mohod admitted to experiencing a period of intense difficulty where her form vanished. "There was a huge downfall in between, meaning I wasn't hitting the target at all and my form was off," she shared. It was her coach in Amravati, Praful Dange, who played a pivotal role in her resurgence. "Back then I didn't believe in myself... Praful sir believed in me a lot, so I started believing in myself," she credited.
Eyes Set on Los Angeles 2028
While the three-medal haul has cemented her status as one of the standout performers of the Asian Games, Mohod is far from satisfied. Her performance has already earned India a crucial quota spot for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, but for the teenager, the mission is only beginning.
"The dream isn't fully fulfilled yet. The main dream I have for the Olympics is still left," she stated firmly. Rather than resting on her laurels, Mohod is already preparing for the Archery Premier League and upcoming National games, insisting that she must now work twice as hard to reach the ultimate stage.