How Kumkum Mohod manifests Olympic gold

All of 17 and a complete rookie in the art of giving an interview, Asian Games double gold medallist Kumkum Mohod is slowly getting a hang of all the interest coming her way. Her answers are short and often end with a smile. “Hum kisi ke saath photo nikaalte the [Earlier we used to take photos with people], now people are taking photos with me, so it feels great,” says Kumkum.Until two weeks ago, Kumkum was just the youngest of the three women archers representing India in the recurve category. On October 3, she became the girl wonder who calmly decimated the Korean archery team with her precise shooting. The first sight had come a day earlier as Kumkum, along with Ankita Bhakat and Kirti Sharma, outshot the Koreans for the women’s team gold. It was India’s first gold in recurve at the Asian Games.Impervious to the pressure, Kumkum took the last shot in each game. Her attitude to the individual finals was the same as the team event. “Log Korean Korean karte hai [People keep harping on about how great the Koreans are], I told myself that she has to hit 10, I also have to do the same,” she says, in an interaction organised by the Sports Authority of India. “Sirf apna chalana hai, best dena hai [I just have to shoot my arrows and give my best].” Best is what she did, and her medal haul—two golds and a silver (in the mixed team event)—is the proof.Her temperament makes her stand apart from peers who have been accused of crumbling under pressure or getting intimidated by the stature of the opposition they face. Kumkum is cool as a cucumber, functioning like a teenager who knows ignorance is bliss. Yet there is an awareness of the feat she has accomplished. “Korea ko harana important tha, record mitana tha [It was important to beat Korea and change the record]. Now there will be more confidence among Indian archers that we can do it,” she says. Explaining how calm she seemed when aiming the last arrow in the finals—she needed a nine to win, she struck a 10—the teenager says, “I didn’t think of the result, patience se shot clear kiya [just aimed patiently and shot the arrow].” Like most Indian archers, hers is a story of keeping faith amid financial hardship. Archery is an expensive pursuit and for Kumkum the “journey has been very hard”. She made it with the support of her dadi (paternal grandmother) and father, who ensured she didn’t give up even when she wasn’t performing well. “At home, they call me champion. They have full faith in me that I will do it,” she says. She laughs about the sacrifices she had to make. “Pura bachpan issi mein chala gayaaage jaake dikkat nahi hogi [My whole childhood went into archery. But it’s worth it because the life ahead will be easier].”With her win Kumkum has got India the sought-after quota in individual recurve for the Los Angeles Olympics 2028, but her place is not confirmed yet. She will have to earn her spot through the national trials. “I have to work and prepare for it,” she says. “Roz gym jaana hai [I have to hit the gym daily] to build strength, make the mind stronger and work on the technical bits.”Kumkum believes in manifestation—the ability to visualise and realise what she wants to happen. She won’t let success consume her and distract her from her goals. The first thing her coach Prafull Donge told her on her return from Japan: “Forget what you have achieved. This is not your dream. Think about the LA Games, that’s your target.” Says Kumkum, “If I work hard and give my best, if I don’t put pressure on myself, I will make it.”Her father believes it, too. “History toh tu hi banayegi, LA mein gold tu hi laayegi [You will make history and win gold in LA].” Subscribe to India Today Magazine- Ends