‘Olympic gold jeetna hai’: Kumkum Mohoda’s big dream after ending Korea’s archery cut at 2026 Asian Games

NEW DELHI: Kumkum Mohod has been watching South Korean archers closely for years, studying their technique and trying to understand why they are so dominant in recurve archery. She watched their movements, learned from their approach and looked at the qualities that made them role models for young Indian archers like her.But when the seventeen-year-old player stood on the shooting line at the Asian Games, just a few seconds from releasing the arrow, she had a message for herself: Korean women were not invincible.“I thought to myself before the start of the match: they shoot 10s too, so I have to shoot 10s too,” said 2026 Asian Games gold medalist Kumkum Mohod. TimesofIndia.com in an exclusive interview.The 17-year-old made history by winning the individual recurve gold at the Asian Games, defeating Oh Yejin of Korea Republic in the final.It ended South Korea’s hold on the individual recurve gold at the Games and helped India secure a quota place for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.Before leaving for Aichi-Nagoya, Kumkum imagined herself standing on the top step. She also envisioned beating her inspiration, South Korea’s Kang Chaeyoung, whom she eventually beat in the quarterfinals en route to historic gold.Kumkum became the first Indian to win 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, completing the Games with three medals.“Until now, no one has done 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 get those scores. Before the match, I told myself that they shoot 10 too and we have to shoot 10 too,” she said.

Kumkum Mohd

Speech: “I’ve been imagining it for a year”

The feeling of becoming the champion of the Asian Games continues to deepen for Kumkum. The young archer said the result was not a complete surprise as she had been imagining this moment for a year, even before she stepped onto the court in Japan.A year before the Asian Games, she repeated the same words five times before going to sleep: “Kumkum, Asian Games gold jeetna hai” (Kumkum, you must win the Asian Games gold). She then said “Hare Krishna” reflecting her devotion to Lord Krishna.Her faith was tested against some of the world’s best archers. Kumkum defeated South Korea’s reigning world champion and Olympic medalist Kang Chaeyoung 6-3 in the quarter-finals before defeating China’s Zhu Jingyi 6-2 in the semi-finals.In the final, she held her nerve against the South Korean Oh Yejin. The match ended 5-5 after five sets, forcing a shootout. Oh shot eight while Kumkum hit 10 to seal the gold medal.Kumkum was trailing throughout the match and needed to win the fifth set to stay in contention. She responded by shooting a perfect 30 to force a shootout before producing the decisive 10.“The final went really well. I was behind but I stayed strong. I believed in myself and knew I could do it because I imagined it last year. I kept imagining that I would face Kang in the match and that it would be the final,” said Kumkum.When Oh shot an eight in the shootout, Kumkum had to focus on her own shot and not the chance to win. She knew she had to deliver, no matter what her opponent scored.“That day I decided I had to prove myself. My first thought was, ‘Kumkum, you still have to shoot well.’ Even if she shot 10, I was very confident at that point,” she said.“I enjoyed that moment while shooting. There is always some pressure, but I tried to reduce it. Whoever says there is no pressure is absolutely wrong. Sport is about nerves and exciting moments. There is always adrenaline and you have to overcome it. The one who can do it wins,” she said.

Kumkum Mohod (AP Photo)

Road to the Finals: Learning from the best and then beating her

Kumkum’s path to the gold medal included victories over some of the world’s leading archers. But one of the most memorable moments for her was defeating Kang, an archer she had admired and learned from since the beginning of her career.Kang was Kumkum’s inspiration due to her technique, focus, composure and ability to deliver under pressure. Kumkum paid particular attention to her release and finishing, as well as the way she maintained technique at crucial moments.At the Asian Games, however, the young Indian found herself in a duel with 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 doesn’t let go of the bow after the shot. Her shooting is very strong,” Kumkum said.So the victory had a special meaning. After the match, Kumkum exchanged high-fives with her opponent, telling her, “Good shot, good shot.”Kang smiled and congratulated her.“I learned a lot from her and I was happy. She is a legend of the sport. She made her country proud by winning medals and now I have done the same. I am proud to have made my country proud,” said Kumkum.

‘My family has always supported me’

Kumkum’s success is due to her family who continued to believe in her even when her performances did not go as planned.Her father Anil Mohod runs a chocolate box manufacturing company. Since Kumkum was good at academics, her father initially wanted her to focus on her studies. But seeing 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 won a medal within six months. Then I came to know about the Olympics and realized what the sport could lead to. I also came to know that India had not won a medal in the event. My interest grew and I started working harder,” she said.Her family’s faith in her remained strong even during difficult times.“When I wasn’t doing well, my family told me I could handle it. They supported me a lot and I never faced any problems because of them,” she said.Now, after its historic success, the Mohoda household welcomes a steady stream of visitors. Neighbors, friends, relatives, sports associations and fellow athletes came to congratulate the family.Kumkum said the celebrations kept everyone busy and they had little time to relax.“It’s like a wedding atmosphere at home. People keep coming and going and we hardly sleep. All thanks to Krishna ji,” she said.

India’s Kumkum gold medalist Anil Mohod, Ankita Bhakat and Kirti celebrate on stage during the victory ceremony. (Photo by Reuters)

Beyond Archery: Drawing, Crafting and Dreaming Before Bedtime

Outside of the archery range, Kumkum enjoys spending time with a paintbrush and palette. Drawing and handicrafts are among her favorite hobbies, thanks to which she relaxes from the demands of training and competitions.“I like to draw and create. I also enjoy making things with my hands,” she said.She also enjoys watching TV shows and movies. Her favorites include Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah and sports movies like Dangal, Mary Kom, Ghoomer and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag.Unlike many teenagers, Kumkum never had Facebook or Instagram accounts. It also disabled YouTube a few months before the Asian Games. Drawing, handicrafts and reading are among the activities she likes to do out of reach.“I never had Facebook or Instagram. I also deactivated 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 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. But he has a bigger dream – to win India’s first Olympic gold medal in archery.The words she repeated before she went to sleep for a year – “Kumkum, Asian gold jeetna hai” – now reflect a new ambition: “Kumkum, Olympic gold jeetna hai”.At home, a small note on the wall serves as a reminder of what she wants to achieve.“Gold LA 2028 is the goal. That’s a dream. I don’t want to think too far ahead yet, but that’s the goal. I’ll work hard for it and get stronger mentally,” signed Kumkum.