Amravati’s golden girl Kumkum Mohod performs Shastra Pooja of her bows — including her five-year-old second-hand bow with which she won double gold at Asian Games — at DSO archery range on Vijayadashami
Prime Minister Narendra Modi , while lauding Kumkum for breaking Korea’s 30-year domination, had held the bow briefly when she met him in New Delhi after returning from the Asian Games. Out of the three medals she won in Japan, Kumkum values the women’s individual recurve gold the most.
“When I learnt my gold secured India a quota for Los Angeles 2028, I felt extremely happy,” said Kumkum, who studies in Class 12 at Manibai Gujarati High School and Junior College here. “I also want to excel in my Board exams,” she said. “I won it on my own,” she said. Prafulla Dange, who has trained Kumkum for nine years at Khelo India Centre, DSO Amravati, said the secret is technique, not equipment. It’s very good for bow control,” Dange said. “Her focus is 80% on shooting and 20% on aiming — which is exactly what is needed,” he said. On beating Korea, Dange said: “If you have self-belief and perform without looking at who is in front of you, you can deliver. On mental conditioning, Dange said his ward holds her breath at anchor and does cardio and jogging to control heartbeat.
On her return, she was also honoured with the inaugural Jaspal Rana Trophy for emerging excellence by Indian Olympic Association president and legendary athlete PT Usha in New Delhi. “Kumkum has shoulder strength that you mostly find in boys, rarely in girls. During Covid, when training space was limited, Dange worked on her stance, follow-through and release. Kumkum paid attention to one-arrow shooting, gave her best and succeeded.