Kumkum Mohod’s Asian Games archery gold sparks celebrations in Amravati

Seventeen-year-old Kumkum Mohod’s Asian Games success has prompted celebrations in her neighbourhood in Amravati, Maharashtra. She became the first Indian woman to win an individual recurve archery gold at the Asian Games after scoring a perfect 10 in the decisive shoot-off in Nagoya. Mohod’s victory was the latest achievement in a campaign that produced three medals.

She won gold in the women’s individual and team recurve events and silver in the mixed team competition. Her father, Anil Mohod, told PTI that the family had spoken to her after the final. He said she was thrilled to have achieved the result she had been targeting, adding that the medal was her first individual medal at an international competition of this level.

Mohod began training with coach Prafull Dange at a local archery range when she was eight. Her success has been celebrated by residents of Gosavi Colony, where her family lives. Anil Mohod said her achievement had made Amravati and India proud.

The family’s celebrations, however, are accompanied by plans for her next ambitions. He said she was already looking towards the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and wanted to win another gold medal and dedicate it to her coach. Her mother, Rupali, said she did not watch the final because she avoids watching her daughter’s last matches and instead prays.

She said she had followed the same routine during the Asian Games final. Mohod is also a Class 12 student and is due to sit her board examinations during the current academic year. Her mother said there would be little time for an extended celebration after the archer returns home.