Asian Games 2026: Kumkum Mohod, Sujeet Kalkal Win IOA Awards

Nagoya: The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) congratulates all medallists and participants of Team India following a memorable campaign at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in Japan.

India finished fourth in the overall medal standings, returning home with 21 Gold, 27 Silver and 37 Bronze medals - a total of 87 medals.

IOA introduces awards for best male and female sportsperson

To recognise outstanding performances at the Games and honour the legacy of two stalwarts of Indian sport who passed away earlier this year, IOA President Dr PT Usha had announced the institution of two new awards: the Raja Randhir Singh Award for Best Male Sportsperson of the Games and the Jaspal Rana Award for Best Female Sportsperson of the Games.

The IOA has chosen 17-year-old archer Kumkum Mohod as the inaugural recipient of the Jaspal Rana Award.

Making her Asian Games debut, Mohod wrote herself into the history books with a remarkable haul of three medals, including two Golds, while playing a pivotal role in ending South Korea's long-standing dominance of the women's recurve events.

Mohod, along with Ankita Bhakat and Kirti, won Gold in the women's recurve team event, ending South Korea's historic run of seven consecutive Asian Games Gold medals, stretching back to the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games.

Mohod returned the following day to win Gold in the women's recurve individual event, ensuring that South Korea's women returned without a Gold medal in the recurve events for the first time in the history of archery at the Asian Games.

Her individual Gold also secured a quota place for India at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

PT Usha hails Kumkum Mohod's Asian Games performance

Hailing Mohod's achievements, IOA President Dr PT Usha said:

"It is fitting that Kumkum is the first recipient of the Jaspal Rana Award, as Jaspal too burst onto the scene as a prodigy at the 1994 Asian Games. Her composure under pressure and her ability to find her best form when her back was to the wall augur extremely well for Indian Archery.

"India's Archers have been knocking on the door for more than a decade now, and I firmly believe that this performance by Kumkum and her recurve teammates has shattered the glass ceiling for Indian Archery. India came close to winning a maiden Olympic medal in the sport at the Paris Olympics, and I am convinced that final frontier will be breached at the Los Angeles Olympics."

Sujeet Kalkal wins Raja Randhir Singh Award

The Raja Randhir Singh Award for Best Male Sportsperson of the Games has been awarded to wrestler Sujeet Kalkal, who won Gold in the men's 65kg freestyle category.

Kalkal continued India's proud tradition in the 65kg weight class, following Olympic medallists Yogeshwar Dutt and Bajrang Punia, who won Gold medals in the same category at the 2014 and 2018 Asian Games respectively.

Kalkal produced one of the most dramatic performances of the Games. He defeated reigning Olympic champion Kotaro Kiyooka of Japan in the semifinal before staging a remarkable comeback in the Gold-medal bout against Abdulmazhid Kudiyev.

The 23-year-old trailed 2-9 with time running out, but refused to give up. In a stunning late surge, Kalkal fought back to secure a 10-9 victory, claiming India's first Wrestling Gold medal of the Games.

PT Usha praises Sujeet Kalkal's fighting spirit

Hailing his performance, IOA President Dr PT Usha said:

"Wrestling is India's sport, and Sujeet's performance will be spoken of for years to come. The Gold medal will be celebrated, but his never-say-die attitude and refusal to accept Silver have earned him a special place in the hearts of all Indians.

"Winning Gold medals in elite competition is not easy, but equally important is the effort that goes in when your back is against the wall. I wish Sujeet all success in the years ahead and will be rooting for him to deliver India's first-ever Wrestling Gold medal at the Olympic Games in two years' time."

The Indian Olympic Association will felicitate Kumkum Mohod and Sujeet Kalkal for their outstanding achievements at a ceremony in the coming days.