India’s Women Shooters Create History! Elavenil, Sonam & Vidarsa Win First Medal at Asian Games 2026 (Image: Google)
Nagoya: India opened its medal tally at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026 with a stunning silver medal performance in the women’s 10m air rifle team event. The trio of Elavenil Valarivan, Sonam Maskar and Vidarsa Vinod delivered a strong show to secure India’s first podium finish of the continental tournament.
Indian shooter Elavenil Valarivan delivered a memorable performance at the Asian Games, securing the silver medal in the women’s 10m air rifle individual event after a thrilling final against Japan’s Taichi. Elavenil remained in medal contention throughout the final and was in the leading position for a major part of the competition. However, in the closing moments, Japan’s home favourite managed to edge ahead after a strong final shot to claim the gold medal.
The contest remained fiercely competitive until the final series. Elavenil produced a 10.4 shot, but it was slightly behind Taichi’s score, increasing the gap before the final attempt. With pressure mounting, the Indian shooter took time to regain focus before delivering her final shot. She scored 10.1, while Taichi managed 10.2, enough to secure the gold medal.
Competing in Nagoya, the Indian women’s shooting team finished second in the team standings after collecting 1,898 points. China claimed the top position, while Japan and Korea remained among the key contenders during the competition. The medal marked a strong beginning for India’s campaign at the Asian Games, with the shooting squad once again proving its strength on the international stage.
Elavenil Valarivan was the standout performer for India, scoring an impressive 633.5 points in the qualification round. Her consistent performance also helped her secure a place in the individual final. Sonam Maskar also advanced to the individual final, giving India multiple chances to add more medals in the shooting events.
The women’s 10m air rifle team event victory has provided an early boost to India’s medal campaign at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026. The Indian contingent will now look to build momentum across other sporting disciplines.
India also received another medal boost through Suchika Tariyal, who defeated Altanchimeg Baigalmaa in the women’s traditional 60kg MMA event to reach the semifinal stage. Despite facing strong pressure in the second round, Suchika maintained her composure and produced a crucial reversal to take control of the bout. Her victory confirmed another medal for India at the Games.
With medals coming from shooting and MMA, India has made a confident start at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. The performances have raised expectations as athletes across different disciplines continue their medal pursuit.
