Asian Games 2026: India Wins First Medal as Women's 10m Air Rifle Team Takes Silver

Nagoya: India won its first medal at the Asian Games with a silver in the women's 10m air rifle team event. The medal was won by the team comprising Malayali shooter Vidarsha K Vinod, Sonam Maskar and Elavenil Valarivan. The Indian trio accumulated 1,898 points to finish behind China in the team standings. Vidarsha has also become the first Malayali shooter to win a medal in shooting at the Asian Games. The silver medal has made Vidarsha a source of pride for Keralam. She is the daughter of Vinod K D and Anita Vinod of Kochalunkal in Thiruvambady, Kozhikode. Apart from Vidarsha, Elavenil Valarivan led India’s effort with a score of 633.5 points and also qualified for the individual final. Sonam Maskar joined her in advancing to the individual final. Vidarsha dreams of winning an Olympic medal for India. She is currently training at the National Games Shooting Range in Vattiyoorkavu, Thiruvananthapuram. The former LDF government had awarded her Rs 5 lakh towards her training.