Indian archer Mohod Kumkum Anil won a gold medal after beating South Korea's Oh Yejin in the women's individual recurve final at Asian Games 2026.
The 17-year-old prevailed 6-5 after the final was tied at 5-5 following five sets. With the gold medal decided by a single arrow, Oh shot an 8 before Kumkum landed a perfect 10 to seal the title.
The victory made Kumkum the first Indian woman to win an individual recurve medal at the Asian Games, and she went one step further by claiming gold. Her triumph also gave India its first-ever individual women's recurve gold at the continental event.
Track Asian Games 2026 live updates here
From a Rs 3,000 wooden bow to Asian Games gold
Eight years ago, Kumkum Mohod began her archery journey with a Rs 3,000 wooden bow bought with money her grandmother gave her. The 17-year-old from Amravati, Maharashtra, went on to train through financial constraints and the Covid-19 disruption, with her family and coach Prafull Dange supporting her career.
On Saturday, that journey culminated in a historic Asian Games gold, as Kumkum became the first Indian woman to win an individual recurve medal at the continental event.
The final began with Oh taking the opening set 29-27 to move 2-0 ahead. The second set was tied 29-29, giving the South Korean a 3-1 lead.
Kumkum responded in the third set with three successive 10s for a perfect 30, while Oh scored 29. The Indian levelled the contest at 3-3 before Oh regained the lead by taking the fourth set 28-27.
Also Read: Asian Games 2026 Medal Tally: Check latest standings, India's rank, top scorers and more
Facing elimination in the fifth set, Kumkum held her nerve and again shot three 10s for a perfect 30. Oh managed 28, forcing a shoot-off at 5-5.
With the title riding on one arrow each, Oh shot an 8 before Kumkum produced a perfect 10 to win the gold.
Asian Games 2026: Kumkum's dream run
Kumkum had earlier stunned South Korea's world and Olympic champion Kang Chaeyoung 6-4 in the quarterfinals before defeating China's world championship silver medallist Zhu Jingyi 6-2 in the semifinals.
She had also secured an Olympic quota place for India by reaching the semifinals.
The gold capped a remarkable campaign for the 17-year-old, who had already won the women's recurve team gold and mixed team silver on Friday.
Kumkum teamed up with Ankita Bhakat and Kirti Sharma to defeat South Korea 5-3 in the women's recurve team final, securing India's first-ever Asian Games medal in the event. Later, she partnered Dhiraj Bommadevara to win silver in the mixed recurve team event after India lost 3-5 to China.
Kumkum's individual gold also adds to India's only previous individual recurve medal at the Asian Games, Tarundeep Rai's silver at the 2010 Guangzhou Games.
With Kumkum's gold, India's medal tally has reached 77, including 17 gold, 25 silver and 35 bronze medals, at the time of writing.
