Kumkum Mohod
When Kumkum began shooting in 2018, there was little money to spare for expensive equipment or travel. Her grandmother helped her buy the wooden bow, and just six months into the sport, she won silver at the sub-junior nationals — an early indication of the meaningful journey that lay ahead.
Amravati: The wooden bow that began Kumkum Anil Mohod’s archery journey cost ₹3,000 and was bought with money given by her grandmother. Nearly eight years later, the 17-year-old from Amravati district stood atop the podium in Japan with an Asian Games recurve women’s team gold medal — a remarkable climb from a family that once struggled to afford even her travel to training and competitions. At just 17, she made her mark on the international circuit by helping India win recurve team gold at World Cup Stage 2 in Shanghai this year.
Because the family could not even afford an auto, during those times, her father stood by her, taking Kumkum on his two-wheeler to competitions. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Nagpur | Silver Rate in Nagpur | Bank Holidays in Nagpur | Public Holidays in Nagpur | Petrol Price in Nagpur | Diesel Price in Nagpur | CNG Price in Nagpur | LPG Price in Nagpur Stay updated with the latest Nagpur news. Her father, Anil Manohar Mohod, makes cardboard boxes for sweet shops from their home in Gosavi Colony to support the family. Her mother, Rupali, was the one who encouraged her to take up archery. Her rise was neither instant nor full of roses. It was shaped by her father’s sacrifices, her mother’s encouragement, her coach’s persistence and the young athlete’s refusal to let limited means limit her ambitions. When Covid shut down normal training, Kumkum and coach Prafull Dange spent hours working on short-distance shooting. The drills helped her build back strength and perfect her drawing technique. Competing, however, took a toll on the household. As the family’s income went down, participating in tournaments became increasingly difficult. Kumkum responded in the manner her coach and parents had seen throughout her journey — with confidence and a willingness to fight when the contest became difficult. Even that success came with modest equipment. The bow she used to win gold in Shanghai was second-hand, and she had already used it for five years. Now, after years of financial constraints and training challenges, Kumkum has added an Asian Games gold in Japan to her growing list of achievements — the latest milestone in a journey built on quiet work, sacrifice and belief. Download the TOI App.