Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Seventeen-year-old Kumkum Mohod’s historic Asian Games gold turned her neighbourhood in Maharashtra’s Amravati into a scene of celebration on Saturday.
Kumkum became the first Indian woman to win an individual recurve archery gold medal at the Asian Games after she struck a perfect 10 in the decisive shoot-off at the Aichi-Nagoya Games in Japan.
For her family in Gosavi Colony, the medal was more than just another sporting achievement. It was the culmination of years of hard work for a teenager who picked up a bow at the age of eight.
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Her father, Anil Mohod, said the family had spoken to Kumkum after her historic victory and found her thrilled with the result.
“We spoke to Kumkum. She had competed in several national and international competitions, but this was her first individual medal, and that too a gold at the Asian Games. She is thrilled that she got what she was aiming for,” he told PTI.
Kumkum has trained at a local archery range under coach Prafull Dange since she was eight. Her campaign in Nagoya has already produced three medals. She won gold in the women’s individual and team recurve events and a silver in the mixed team event.
Her success has also sparked celebrations among residents of Gosavi Colony, where the Mohod family lives.
Anil said the local community was delighted to see one of its youngest residents excel on the Asian Games stage.
“She has made not only Amravati but the whole of India proud. We can’t forget this moment,” he said.
But Kumkum’s ambitions do not end with her Asian Games success. Her father said she is already looking towards the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, where she wants to win another gold medal and dedicate it to her coach.
While the celebrations continued at home, Kumkum’s mother, Rupali, revealed that she had avoided watching her daughter’s final.
“I never watch her last match. Instead, I sit before God and pray. Even today, I did not watch the match,” she said.
Rupali, however, knows that there will be little time for Kumkum to celebrate once she returns home.
The 17-year-old is currently in Class 12 and will appear for her board examinations later this academic year.
“She is in Class 12 and will be appearing for her board exams this academic year,” Rupali said.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
