Kumkum Mohod Shines at Asian Games, Eyes Olympic Glory
A Rising Star from Amravati
At the young age of 17, Kumkum Mohod has already made her family and the city of Amravati proud by clinching both a gold and a silver medal at the Asian Games. Her father, Anil Mohod, expressed immense pride in her achievements, stating that her ultimate aspiration is to represent India at the Olympics. "As a father, I am incredibly proud that she has won a gold medal at such a young age. Her ambitions are high, and we owe much of her success to our coaches, Praful Dange and Ganesh Jadhav, who have been instrumental in her journey," Anil shared on Friday.
Historic Wins for the Indian Archery Team
Kumkum was a key member of the Indian women's recurve team that made history by defeating South Korea 5-3 in the finals, marking India's first-ever medal in this category at the Asian Games. She also partnered with Dhiraj Bommadevara to secure a silver medal in the mixed recurve team event, despite a 3-5 loss to China in the final. As she prepares for the individual women's recurve quarterfinals on Saturday, Kumkum has already played a vital role in India's impressive archery performance in Aichi-Nagoya.
Overcoming Challenges
Anil recounted Kumkum's journey, which began with a bamboo bow in 2018 before she transitioned to a recurve bow in 2022. "She still uses that same bow today, and her progress has been remarkable," he noted. Despite facing financial hurdles, Anil credited their coach for providing support during tough times. "We encountered many challenges, but with our coach's help, we managed to overcome them. Our home is filled with joy," he added. Anil emphasized Kumkum's dream of competing in the Olympics, saying, "Now we await what the future holds for her."
Coach's Praise for Kumkum
Kumkum's coach, Praful Dange, praised her confidence, especially during the match against the formidable South Korean team in the women's recurve final. "Kumkum performed exceptionally well, hitting 6 out of 5 arrows at 10, with only one arrow scoring a 9. Her confidence was evident as she faced the world's top team," he remarked. Dange also highlighted the teamwork among Kumkum, Ankita Bhakat, and Kirti Sharma, stating, "Their coordination was excellent, and even though there were minor setbacks in the mixed team event, Kumkum's potential remains high as she heads into the individual competition."
Celebrating Success at Khelo India Centre
Kumkum's achievements have been celebrated at the Khelo India Centre in Amravati, where she trains. District Sports Officer Ganesh Jadhav expressed pride in her accomplishments, stating, "Kumkum's gold and silver medals are a source of pride for Amravati and the entire nation. Her dedication and hard work at the Khelo India Centre have truly paid off."
Future Aspirations
Born on March 10, 2009, Kumkum has been training at the Khelo India Centre in Amravati and made her international debut in 2025. With two medals already in her possession, she is now focused on the individual event on Saturday, aiming to add another medal to her impressive Asian Games journey.