Teen archer Kumkum Mohod hits two crucial 10s to help India beat South Korea 5-3 in the women's recurve final, securing the nation's first-ever medal in the event.
India’s Archery Breakthrough
India has etched its name in history with a stunning victory in the women’s recurve archery team final at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026. The trio of Kumkum Mohod, Ankita Bhakat, and Kirti Sharma stunned the dominant South Korean side 5-3 to clinch the country’s first-ever medal in the discipline at the continental games.
The final was a masterclass in composure. South Korea, ranked as the archery powerhouse with three top-four qualifiers, opened strong with 54 points in the first set. India matched them exactly — Ankita Bhakat started with a 9, Kirti Sharma followed with a 7, and 17-year-old Kumkum Mohod delivered a perfect 10 under pressure to force a 1-1 split.
The second set mirrored the first: both teams scored 56. Again, Kumkum struck with another 10 on her final arrow, keeping India alive. Then came the turning point, the third set.
Kirti began with a 10, Ankita added a 9, and Kumkum followed with a 9, giving India a one-point lead after the first rotation. South Korea faltered in the second, all three archers scoring 8s, leaving them on 51. India needed just 24 points from their last three arrows. Kirti managed an 8, Ankita a 9, and Kumkum once more delivered a 10. 55-51, game in hand.
With gold within reach, nerves flared in the final set. South Korea took a two-point lead with a strong opening rotation. India responded with two 9s from Kirti and Ankita. Only Kumkum Mohod remained, she needed a perfect 10 to tie the set. She delivered. The crowd erupted. 54-54. 5-3. Gold for India.
The win marks India’s 11th gold of the Games and lifts their total medal count to 67. 23 silver, 33 bronze, with the nation sitting seventh on the table.
India now has two more chances for medals Friday. Kumkum and Dhiraj Bommadevara will face Japan in the mixed team semifinal, while Dhiraj, Neeraj Chauhan, and Yashdeep Bhoge take on Iran in the men’s team semifinal. The mixed event carries Olympic qualification implications. Winning NOC earns one quota each for men and women at LA 2028.
Kumkum, from Maharashtra, emerged as the unlikely hero, repeatedly stepping up when the score mattered most. Her performance wasn’t just about precision, it was about presence. And for a nation that had never reached this stage before, it was the moment they finally did.
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