India wins silver in women's 10m air rifle team at Asian Games
India secured its first medal of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, claiming silver in the women's 10m air rifle team event behind a world-record performance by China.
- Headline: India wins silver in women's 10m air rifle team at Asian Games
- Dispatch Summary: India secured its first medal of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, claiming silver in the women's 10m air rifle team event behind a world-record performance by China.
- Verification: Corroborated across independent reporting outlets with primary sources and real-time wire transmissions.
India's Shooting Team Secures Silver in Women’s 10m Air Rifle Team Event
India opened its medal account at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on September 20, 2026, with a silver medal in the women’s 10m air rifle team event. The team of Elavenil Valarivan, Sonam Maskar, and Vidarsa Vinod combined for a total of 1898.0 points, finishing second behind China’s world-record score of 1904.2. Hosts Japan claimed bronze with 1897.1 points. This achievement marked India’s first confirmed medal of the 20th Asian Games, setting a positive tone for the country’s shooting contingent.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Indian team total score | 1898.0 points |
| China’s score (gold) | 1904.2 points |
| Japan’s score (bronze) | 1897.1 points |
| India’s highest individual scorer | Sonam Maskar – 634.1 points |
| Elavenil Valarivan’s score | 633.5 points |
| Vidarsa Vinod’s score | 630.4 points |
Team Members and Individual Performances
The Indian trio of Elavenil Valarivan, Sonam Maskar, and Vidarsa Vinod demonstrated consistency in the team event, with each shooter contributing to the final tally. Sonam Maskar emerged as the top performer, scoring 634.1 points, while Elavenil and Vidarsa followed with 633.5 and 630.4, respectively. Both Elavenil and Sonam advanced to the individual final, where they will compete against eight other athletes for a chance to add to India’s medal count.
Vidarsa Vinod, who finished ninth in the individual qualifying, expressed satisfaction with her performance, crediting the Indian team’s preparation and training camps in Delhi for helping her manage pressure. “The team never puts pressure on us. They prepared us very well, and we had two camps in Delhi, where the focus was not on putting pressure on us but on helping us enjoy the competition,” she said, according to reports.
Context of the Achievement
The silver medal in the women’s 10m air rifle team event represents a promising start for India’s shooting contingent at the Aichi-Nagoya Games. This follows the country’s record-breaking performance at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, where Indian shooters won 22 medals, including seven gold, nine silver, and six bronze. The current success underscores the continued strength of India’s shooting program, which has produced multiple Olympic and World Championship medalists over the years.
The team’s performance also coincided with another milestone for Indian athletes. MMA fighter Suchika Tariyal secured an earlier medal by advancing to the semifinals of the women’s traditional 60kg category. Her victory over Altanchimeg Baigalmaa in the opening round ensured a medal for India, further boosting the nation’s early standing in the Games.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the Indian shooters in the women’s 10m air rifle team event?
The Indian team consisted of Elavenil Valarivan, Sonam Maskar, and Vidarsa Vinod, who combined for a total of 1898.0 points to secure silver.
What was the score of the winning Chinese team?
China’s team achieved a world-record score of 1904.2 points in the women’s 10m air rifle team event.
How does this silver fit into India’s shooting legacy at the Asian Games?
This silver marks India’s first medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Games and follows the country’s record 22-medal haul at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, highlighting the continued strength of India’s shooting program.
The Indian shooting team’s silver in the women’s 10m air rifle event sets the stage for further competition as the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games progress. With Elavenil and Sonam poised to compete in the individual final, the nation’s hopes rest on their ability to maintain the momentum established in the team event. Meanwhile, the success of Suchika Tariyal in the MMA category underscores the broader potential for Indian athletes to excel across multiple disciplines at the Games.
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Dateline Wire is dedicated to independent, evidence-backed reporting. This briefing was synthesized from primary source reporting, corroborated across independent newsrooms, and verified against our Editorial Standards.
