India clinches silver in women's 10m air‑rifle team at the Asian Games

When the shooting range at the Aichi‑Nagoya Asian Games quieted down, a hush fell over the Indian contingent as the scores were posted. The women's 10m air‑rifle team—Elavenil Valarivan, Sonam Maskar and Vidarsa Vinod—had racked up 1,898 points, enough to earn India its very first medal of the Games: a gleaming silver.

China edged them out for gold, but the Indian trio could hold their heads high. Valarivan shone especially, posting a personal 633.5 points and securing a spot in the individual final. Maskar wasn’t far behind, also punching her ticket to the solo showdown.

Japan finished just off the podium in fourth place, while South Korea still had one shooter left to complete her series, leaving the door ajar for a possible reshuffle.

Beyond the rifle range, another Indian athlete was making headlines. Suchika Tariyal, competing in the traditional 60kg women’s MMA bout, delivered a gritty performance against Mongolia’s Altanchimeg Baigalmaa. After a fierce exchange, Tariyal turned the tide with a decisive reversal, taking her opponent to the mat and holding control until the round’s end. The victory propelled her into the semifinals and, crucially, confirmed India’s very first medal at these Asian Games.

Both achievements underscore a growing confidence within India’s shooting and combat‑sports squads. The silver in the rifle event not only adds a splash of colour to the nation’s medal table but also sets the stage for individual finals where more podium finishes could be within reach.

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