Kumkum Mohod: From Sacrifices to Glory at the Asian Games
Kumkum Mohod made headlines as the only Indian archer to secure an individual gold medal at the recent Asian Games held in Aichi-Nagoya. However, her remarkable achievement comes after years of dedication and sacrifices, particularly during her childhood, when she often had to forego time spent playing with friends in pursuit of her dreams.
Upon returning home, the 17-year-old from Amravati, Maharashtra, shared her journey, highlighting the support and sacrifices of her family. She explained how her parents constantly accompanied her to various tournaments, often giving up their own leisure time to ensure she could compete. “Many people enjoy traveling and spending time with family, but my parents chose to be there for me at every tournament,” Kumkum noted during a discussion organized by the Sports Ministry of India.
Kumkum’s father, Anil, runs a small cardboard box business, and the family has learned to navigate the financial challenges of supporting her archery career. Her first bow was a simple wooden one bought with money from her grandmother. As travel to training became harder, her father would take her to the academy on his motorcycle.
Despite the success she has achieved, Kumkum admitted there were times she wished for a more typical childhood. “Sometimes, I feel that archery took over my entire childhood. I do miss playing with other kids,” she shared. Yet, the encouragement from her dad, who calls her a champion, helped her stay motivated through tough moments.
Not Alone in Sacrificing Childhood
Kumkum isn’t the only young athlete expressing similar feelings. Indian chess prodigy Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, who was 21 at the recent Norway Chess tournament, echoed this sentiment. He mentioned his desire for more friendships from his school days but acknowledged that sacrifices are often part of pursuing greatness. “You have to give up certain things to achieve certain things,” he stated, reflecting on his journey.
For many young athletes, the path to success is a tough one, filled with rigorous training and competitions that leave little room for the typical experiences of childhood. Families often endure significant personal and financial challenges to support their children’s ambitions.
Kumkum’s Golden Achievement
Kumkum’s sacrifices paid off when she played a vital role in achieving international success at the Asian Games. She was part of the women’s recurve team that secured gold alongside teammates Ankita Bhagat and Kirti Sharma, breaking South Korea’s long-standing hold on the event. India won the final with a score of 5-3, marking the nation’s first gold in this category at the Asian Games.
In a thrilling individual showdown, Kumkum went head-to-head with South Korea’s Oh Yejin, winning the gold in a shoot-off. This victory made her the only Indian archer to claim an individual gold at this prestigious event.
The Start of a Journey in Archery
Kumkum discovered her passion for archery in 2018, thanks to encouragement from her mother, Rupali. Within six months, she secured a silver medal at the sub-junior nationals, despite facing many challenges along the way, including limited resources. She was using a second-hand bow, which was five years old at the time of her rise.
Earlier in 2026, Kumkum contributed to India’s success by winning team gold at the Archery World Cup Stage 2 in Shanghai and mixed-team gold at Stage 3 in Antalya. The victories at the Asian Games represent another significant milestone in her athletic journey.
Looking ahead, Kumkum remains focused on her goals. “I don’t focus on my opponents,” she said. “My aim is simple: if I hit a 10, it doesn’t matter who stands in front of me.” This mindset shone through during her intense final against Oh, where she kept her composure and delivered when it mattered most, adding yet another proud moment in her story that started with a young girl picking up an archery bow in Amravati.
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