PM Modi Hails Historic Indian Archery Medals
PM Narendra Modi celebrates India's historic recurve gold and silver wins at the Asian Games 2026, praising the archers' skill and precision.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended his warmest congratulations to Indian archers following a landmark performance at the Asian Games 2026. The Prime Minister lauded the athletes for securing historic medals in the recurve discipline, noting that their triumphs would serve as a massive inspiration for the next generation of Indian archers.
A Golden Upset Against South Korea
In a stunning display of skill and composure, the Indian women's recurve trio of Ankita Bhakat, Kumkum Mohod, and Kirti Sharma pulled off a monumental upset. They defeated the powerhouse South Korean team with a 5-3 scoreline in the gold medal match to claim India's first-ever gold in this specific discipline at the continental event.
The victory was particularly remarkable given the qualification rankings. While the South Korean side featured three archers from the top four in the world, the Indian trio entered the final ranked 10th, 20th, and 25th. Despite the odds, India maintained their nerve throughout the high-pressure encounter.
The Rise of Kumkum Mohod
The 17-year-old Kumkum Mohod emerged as the standout performer during the final. After a tense start where India matched South Korea set-for-set, Kumkum delivered two crucial 10s in the closing stages to seal the historic gold. The Prime Minister praised the team's "composure and precision" in what was a closely fought battle.
First-Ever Mixed Team Silver
The celebrations continued as Dhiraj Bommadevara and Kumkum Anil Mohod secured India's first-ever silver medal in the recurve mixed team event. The duo faced off against China's Zhu Jingyi and Li Mengqi in a hard-fought final, eventually finishing with a 3-5 scoreline.
Writing on X, PM Modi highlighted their "skill and zeal," stating that the silver medal was a memorable achievement for the nation. He wished the athletes the very best for their future sporting endeavours.
"A historic Gold that has delighted the entire nation. Congrats to Ankita Bhakat, Kumkum Anil Mohod and Kirti on winning India’s first-ever Gold Medal in the Women’s Recurve Team event at the Asian Games. Their composure and precision in a closely fought final were remarkable. This landmark victory will inspire countless young archers across the country. India is proud of our champions!" — PM Narendra Modi