Asian Games: Kumkum Mohod creates history, becomes first Indian woman to reach recurve final

Seventeen-year-old Kumkum Mohod scripted a historic chapter in Indian archery on Saturday, becoming the first Indian woman to reach the individual recurve final at the Asian Games after defeating China’s Jingyi Zhu 6-2 in the semifinals.

Kumkum produced another composed performance just minutes after stunning South Korea’s reigning world champion and Olympic team gold medallist Kang Chaeyoung in the quarterfinals. She maintained her composure against Zhu, a silver medallist at the 2025 World Championships, to secure her place in the gold-medal match.

The Indian teenager took control from the opening set. After Zhu began with an 8, Kumkum responded with a 9 before both archers hit the 10-ring. Kumkum eventually claimed the set 28-27 to take an early 2-0 lead.

The second set was a display of remarkable consistency, with both archers producing six consecutive 10s. The flawless 30-30 score saw the set points shared, leaving Kumkum 3-1 ahead.

Zhu appeared to regain momentum in the third set after opening with a 10. Kumkum initially received an 8 for her first arrow but responded with two successive 10s. A review later upgraded her first arrow to a 9, resulting in a 29-29 tie and giving Kumkum a 4-2 advantage.

With another tied set enough to secure victory, Kumkum finished the job in the fourth. Both archers started with 9s and followed them with 10s, but Zhu managed only a 9 with her final arrow. Kumkum then found the 10-ring with her last shot to seal a 6-2 win.

The victory marks the first time an Indian woman has reached the individual recurve final at the Asian Games.

Kumkum’s run has been particularly impressive, with the teenager defeating the reigning world champion and the reigning World Championships silver medallist in successive rounds.

She will now face South Korea’s Yejin Oh in the gold-medal match, scheduled for 7:20 a.m. IST.