Teen Archer Wins World Cup Gold With Second-Hand Bow

Kumkum Mohod was virtually unknown in international archery circles just weeks ago. Today, the 17-year-old from Amravati, India, is celebrating a World Cup gold medal and setting her sights on Olympic glory.

At the Archery World Cup in Shanghai last month, Kumkum teamed up with Olympians Deepika Kumari and Ankita Bhakat to win India's first women's recurve archery team gold since 2021. The remarkable part? She competed with the same five-year-old second-hand bow she's been using since she started the sport in 2018.

For most teenagers, competing alongside Olympic athletes against world powerhouses would feel overwhelming. Kumkum saw it differently. "At the end of the day, we all had to shoot at 70 metres," she told Olympics.com. "My job was to focus on my shots."

That focus paid off spectacularly in the semifinals against South Korea, whose team included Tokyo 2020 gold medalist Kang Chae-young. Kumkum never let the reputation intimidate her. "I was only focused on my own game and my own team," she said. "It didn't matter who was standing in front of us."

The final against China pushed Kumkum's mental strength to its limit. With the match heading to a shoot-off and a hostile crowd roaring around her, the teenager delivered a perfect 10 under pressure. Her secret? "I wasn't thinking specifically about shooting a 10. I was only focused on taking my shot properly, and that's how the 10 came."

Days after Shanghai, Kumkum topped qualification at the Asian Games trials in Sonepat, won six matches, and secured her spot on India's Asian Games 2026 squad. She competed against some of the country's best archers, including four-time Olympian Deepika Kumari.

Why This Inspires

Kumkum's story proves that expensive equipment can't replace dedication and mental strength. While other competitors use the latest gear, she's reaching the podium with borrowed equipment and unwavering focus. Her composure under pressure, shooting perfect 10s while hostile crowds roar and Olympic champions watch, shows maturity far beyond her years.

The teenager credits her experience at the Archery Premier League for building her confidence in high-pressure situations. Competing against top Indian and international archers in front of huge crowds prepared her for the world stage.

But Kumkum isn't stopping at the Asian Games. "Our long-term target is the LA 2028 Olympics," she said. "Ultimately, we aim to win an Olympic gold medal for India, which, unfortunately, we haven't achieved yet."

For a 17-year-old with a second-hand bow and a champion's heart, that dream doesn't seem far-fetched at all.