Nineteen-year-old Kirti Sharma from Ritauli village in Haryana’s Jind district helped India create history at the 2026 Asian Games by winning the country’s first-ever gold in the women’s recurve team event. Kirti teamed up with Ankita Bhakat and Kumkum Mohod to defeat South Korea 5-3 in the final on October 2, ending Korea’s seven consecutive Asian Games titles in the event since 1998.
Behind the historic victory is a journey marked by early rejection, family support and years of training. Kirti’s father, Vijay Kumar, a farmer with three acres of land, borrowed ₹60,000 from a local commission agent at interest in 2022 to buy her a recurve bow as she progressed in the sport.
Kirti later topped India’s Asian Games selection trials and earned her place in the team that ended South Korea’s long-standing dominance. Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the trio’s “composure and precision”, while President Droupadi Murmu called their achievement “a gold to remember”.
CONTINUING THE GOLDEN LEGACY, ANOTHER SEEMA PRAHARI KIRTI SHARMA MAKES INDIA & BSF PROUD Constable Kirti Sharma of BSF and proud member of the Indian Women’s Archery Team have brought glory to the Nation and BSF by winning Gold in Women’s Recurve Team Archery at the Asian Games 2026, Japan. Kirti displayed exceptional skill, precision, composure and team camaraderie as India defeated 10-time Olympic champions South Korea 5–3 in the final, ending Korea’s remarkable run of seven consecutive Asian Games gold medals in the event. The historic victory secured India’s maiden Asian Games gold in Women’s Recurve Team Archery. DG BSF and the entire Prahari Parivar extend their heartiest congratulations to Kirti Sharma, her coach and the Indian Women’s Archery Team on this outstanding achievement and for bringing laurels to the Nation. Earlier BSF Constable Manisha, the member of the Indian Women’s Kabaddi team made the Nation and BSF proud as the Indian team defeated the team of Iran in finals.
— BSF (@BSF_India) October 2, 2026
Early Beginnings
Kirti’s introduction to archery came through her school in Haryana, where she watched senior students practise before taking up the sport herself. She initially trained with a traditional bamboo bow before progressing to a recurve bow. Her path was not straightforward. When coach Udham Singh first visited her village to identify young archers, Kirti was considered too thin and lacking the strength needed to pull a professional bow.
She received another opportunity when coaches returned to the village in 2019. From there, she trained in Jharkhand and eventually entered the Sports Authority of India system, where her physical strength and technique were developed further.
A Family’s Support
Kirti’s rise was also supported by a significant financial commitment from her family. Her father, Vijay Kumar, is a farmer with three acres of land in Ritoli village. In 2022, he approached a local commission agent and borrowed ₹60,000 at interest to buy his daughter a recurve bow, agreeing to repay the amount from future farm yields. The family later repaid the loan in instalments.
Kirti has also spoken about people questioning why her parents were sending their daughter away to Jharkhand for training and spending money on her sporting career. Instead of allowing those doubts to end her journey, the family continued to support her training.
Building Her Career
The Asian Games gold came after Kirti had steadily progressed through India’s competitive archery system. She won a team gold at the junior nationals and later secured a bronze at the 2025 National Games, which marked an important stage in her development. She subsequently competed at international events, including the Asia Cup.
In the 2026 Asian Games selection trials, Kirti finished fourth in the qualification phase, won eight of her 11 round-robin matches and then topped the final selection phase to secure her place alongside Ankita and Kumkum. Her selection was significant because it came after she had already overcome doubts about her physical ability to handle a professional bow.
Historic Asian Games Gold
The biggest breakthrough came on October 2 at Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park in Japan. South Korea had won every women’s recurve team title at the Asian Games since 1998, collecting seven consecutive gold medals, while India had never reached the final of the event. India first defeated China 5-1 in the semifinal before the Indian trio beat South Korea 5-3 in the final.
Kirti later said the team was not scared of the Koreans and had decided to play happily and enjoy the match regardless of whether they won a medal. The victory ended South Korea’s 28-year run and gave India its first-ever Asian Games gold in the event.
Leaders Praise Trio
The historic victory drew praise from India’s highest constitutional and political leadership. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Kirti, Ankita and Kumkum, describing their “composure and precision” in the closely fought final as remarkable.
He said the landmark victory would inspire countless young archers across the country. President Droupadi Murmu also congratulated the trio, describing their achievement as “a gold to remember” and saying their dedication and commitment would continue to inspire young archers.
I extend my heartiest congratulations to Ankita Bhakat, Kumkum Anil Mohod and Kirti on winning the first-ever Gold Medal in the Recurve Women’s Team event in Archery at the Asian Games 2026. Three archers, one united effort, and a Gold to remember! May your dedication and commitment continue to inspire young archers.
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) October 2, 2026
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Kirti Sharma’s gold is more than a historic result for Indian archery. Her journey shows how sporting talent can begin in an ordinary school, face early doubts, and still reach an international podium when a family, coaches and sporting institutions continue to provide opportunities.
The ₹60,000 borrowed for a recurve bow was one step in a much longer journey involving training, selection and persistence. Her story also brings attention to the social expectations that young girls can face when they choose sport as a serious career.
As India celebrates this historic team gold, how can we ensure that more young athletes, regardless of where they come from, get the opportunity to turn potential into achievement?
