Admiring Virat Kohli and B. Dhiraj for their work ethics, 17-year-old women’s recurve Asian Games champion Kumkum Mohod understands the importance of staying grounded in order to win an Olympic gold.

After returning to a grand welcome and a roadshow at her home town, Amaravati, the Maharashtra girl was reminded of her main target by her personal coach Praful Dange.

“My sir (coach) said, ‘Forget what has happened. This is not our dream. Our dream is to win the LA Olympics (gold). You haven’t done anything yet. Stay grounded. Just focus on your work,’” Kumkum said, during an interaction organised by the Sports Authority of India on Friday.

Kumkum, who won individual and women’s team gold and mixed team silver in Japan, said she loved combining with Dhiraj, with whom she landed the World Cup Stage gold in Antalya.

“We could’ve won (mixed team gold) too. Dhiraj bhaiya advised me to enjoy the process irrespective of the result. He said, ‘If you make a mistake, it’s mine. If I make a mistake, it’s the coach’s. So, don’t take any load and shoot’.”

When Dhiraj couldn’t be present, he sent Kumkum a text message: ‘Don’t look at the opponent and behave like a champion.’

Kumkum, who skipped simple pleasures of childhood, calmed herself to win the tense shoot-off in the final and secured the gold and an Olympic quota place for the country. Now, she is keen to board the LA flight and win the gold there.

“My father says, ‘You’ll make history in LA,” said Kumkum, while remembering her parents’ sacrifices.

A Kohli fangirl, Kumkum wants to meet the cricket star. “I like his discipline and hard work. Despite his stature, he is so grounded. I have not thought what to ask if I meet him,” said Kumkum, who also finds seasoned Deepika Kumari’s dedication inspirational.

Kumkum bows to para archers, armless Sheetal Devi and limbless Payal Nag, for their courage. “I salute them. Their mindset is strong. They will do well in the Para Asian Games,” said Kumkum, looking forward to increasing her strength and fine-tuning technical aspects.

Dola Banerjee, the first Indian to land a gold in the prestigious Archery World Cup Final (WCF) in 2007, is delighted to welcome current WCF recurve men’s champion B. Dhiraj to the exclusive club.

Dola feels that the title in Saltillo, Mexico, will give Dhiraj the confidence in the upcoming Asian Games.

“I saw his matches late in the night and liked the way he shot confidently. He was solid in (the three) one-on-one matches and held his nerve to shoot a 10 in the crucial tie-breaker in the final,” Dola told The Hindu.

“It has been 19 years since I won the WCF gold. It feels as if it happened recently.”

Dola appreciated the fact that despite the jet lag Dhiraj got past three experienced archers, Turkey’s Berkim Tumer 7-1, France’s Jean-Charles Valladont 7-1 and Japan’s Nakanishi Junya 6-5 (shoot-off: 10-9), on his way to claim the title.

“Dhiraj consistently shot only 10s and 9s. That’s what is needed to win medals in big stages. He will carry this confidence to the Asian Games,” said Dola.

According to Dola, the country’s archers, who recently began their final preparatory camp in Kurobe City, Japan, stand a good chance in the Asian Games.

“Last time we won nine medals, this time we should match it. We should win more gold medals. In recurve, the competition will be tougher as archers from Korea and China will be there. We have a good mix of experience and youth.

“Overall, around 350 out of nearly 500 athletes in the Indian contingent are young and it will be their first Asian Games. It’s a good sign for the country,” added Dola, an executive council member of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

Asian champion B. Dhiraj gave his Asian Games preparations a big boost by securing his maiden World Cup Final (WCF) medal as he claimed the recurve men’s gold medal at Saltillo, Mexico, on Sunday. He is the first Indian male recurve archer to strike a gold in the WCF.

A determined and focused Dhiraj consistently logged impressive scores, including six 10s, to convincingly upset a shaky Berkim Tumer, an Olympic medallist, of Turkey 7-1 (28-25, 29-26, 28-28, 29-27) in the quarterfinal.

In the semifinals against France’s Olympic medallist Jean-Charles Valladont, Dhiraj maintained his focus and shot fluently to record another 7-1 (28-25, 28-28, 29-24, 29-28) victory.

In the nail-biting title clash against Japanese World championships medallist Nakanishi Junya, Dhiraj, competing in his third WCF, rallied to post a 6-5 (28-28, 28-29, 29-28, 28-30, 28-27, shoot-off: 10-9) via tie-breaker.

Asian champion B. Dhiraj gave his Asian Games preparations a big boost by securing his maiden World Cup Final (WCF) medal as he claimed the recurve men’s gold medal at Saltillo, Mexico, on Sunday. He is the first Indian male recurve archer to strike a gold in the WCF.

A determined and focused Dhiraj consistently logged impressive scores, including six 10s, to convincingly upset a shaky Berkim Tumer, an Olympic medallist, of Turkey 7-1 (28-25, 29-26, 28-28, 29-27) in the quarterfinal.

In the semifinals against France’s Olympic medallist Jean-Charles Valladont, Dhiraj maintained his focus and shot fluently to record another 7-1 (28-25, 28-28, 29-24, 29-28) victory.

In the nail-biting title clash against Japanese World championships medallist Nakanishi Junya, Dhiraj, competing in his third WCF, rallied to post a 6-5 (28-28, 28-29, 29-28, 28-30, 28-27, shoot-off: 10-9) via tie-breaker.