India's Shooting Squad Starts Asian Games Campaign with Silver in Women's 10m Air Rifle Team Event

When the Aichi‑Nagoya Asian Games kicked off, India’s shooters stepped onto the range with a mix of nerves and excitement. By Sunday, that anticipation turned into a glimmering silver medal in the women’s 10m air‑rifle team event.

The trio – Elavenil Valarivan, Sonam Maskar and Vidarsa Vinod – posted a combined score of 1,898.0 points. It was enough to keep China, the reigning powerhouse, at bay for the top spot (they set a new world‑record with 1,904.2 points), while host nation Japan nudged into third place with 1,897.1 points.

For India, this was the first confirmed medal of the 20th Asian Games, a morale‑boosting start after a historic haul of 22 medals at the Hangzhou edition – seven gold, nine silver and six bronze. The silver feels like a promise of more to come.

Among the Indian shooters, Sonam Maskar emerged as the highest scorer with 634.1 points, just a hair ahead of Elavenil’s 633.5, and Vidarsa’s solid 630.4. Both Sonam and Elavenil earned spots in the eight‑woman individual final scheduled later that day, giving them a shot at personal glory as well.

In a pleasant side note, MMA fighter Suchika Tariyal also made headlines, becoming the first Indian athlete to secure a medal guarantee by reaching the semifinals of the women’s Traditional MMA 60kg category.

The silver medal, though not gold, sends a clear message: India’s shooters are back, and they’re aiming higher. The upcoming individual finals could add another feather to the cap, maybe even a double‑podium finish for Elavenil and Sonam.