Asian Games 2026: India wins two shooting silvers in 10m air rifle on same day
Synopsis
Elavenil Valarivan made Asian Games 2026 history by winning two silvers in a single day — first as part of India's 10m air rifle team alongside Sonam Maskar and Vidarsa K Vinod, then again in the individual final where she led with 0.3 points going into the final two shots before Japan's Hinata Taichi claimed gold with an Asian Games record of 253.0.
Key Takeaways
Elavenil Valarivan , Sonam Uttam Maskar , and Vidarsa K Vinod won silver in the women's 10m air rifle team event at the Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya on 20 September .
The Indian trio scored 1,897 points , finishing second behind China in a 16-team field; Japan took bronze.
Elavenil added a second silver the same day in the individual final , finishing with 252.4 against Japan's Hinata Taichi 's Asian Games record 253.0 .
Elavenil led the individual final by 0.3 points with two shots remaining before Taichi edged ahead in a decisive finish.
India had won a record 22 medals in shooting at the 2023 Asian Games , including 7 gold .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated both achievements through posts on X .
Indian shooters Elavenil Valarivan, Sonam Uttam Maskar, and Vidarsa K Vinod claimed silver in the women's 10m air rifle team event at the Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya on Sunday, 20 September, with Elavenil going on to add a second silver in the individual final later the same day. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated both achievements via posts on X, calling the results a source of national pride.
Team Event: India Finishes Second Behind China
The Indian trio accumulated 1,897 points to finish second in a 16-team competition held at the Aichi Pref. General Shooting Gallery. China claimed gold, while Japan took bronze. The result confirmed India's standing as a consistent force in Asian shooting circuits.
Prime Minister Modi praised the trio's collective effort in a post by the PMO on X: 'Hard work and teamwork lead to an outstanding result! Proud of Sonam Uttam Maskar, Elavenil Valarivan and Vidarsa K. Vinod for winning the Silver Medal at the Asian Games 2026 in the 10m Air Rifle Women's event. Their success will inspire several athletes in the coming times.'
Elavenil's Individual Final: Silver by a Razor-Thin Margin
Both Elavenil and Sonam advanced from the team round to the individual final, where they featured among the top eight. Elavenil remained in contention for gold deep into the shoot-off, entering the final two shots with a 0.3-point advantage over Japan's Hinata Taichi. However, Taichi produced a decisive final shot to claim gold with an Asian Games record score of 253.0. Elavenil finished with 252.4 — silver by the narrowest of margins.
PM Modi acknowledged the double achievement in a second post: 'Indian shooters keep making us proud! Congrats to Elavenil Valarivan for winning a Silver Medal in the 10m Air Rifle Women Individual event at the Asian Games. This was her second medal of the day, making this even more special. My best wishes to her for the endeavours ahead.'
Context: India's Shooting Pedigree at the Asian Games
India's shooters had delivered a record-breaking performance at the 2023 Asian Games, winning 22 medals — including 7 gold, 9 silver, and 6 bronze — establishing the squad as the continent's most prolific shooting contingent. The 2026 campaign is already building on that legacy, with two medals secured from a single discipline on the opening day of shooting events.
Notably, Elavenil's two-medal haul in a single day is a rare feat at a multi-sport continental games, and positions her as one of India's standout performers of the tournament.
What Comes Next
India's shooting contingent is expected to compete across multiple further events at the Nagoya Games. With the squad's depth and track record, further medal prospects remain strong across pistol, rifle, and shotgun categories. All eyes will be on whether India can surpass or match its 2023 tally before the Games conclude.
Point of View
But the individual final result deserves scrutiny: she led by 0.3 points with two shots to go and still finished second, underlining just how fine the margins at elite shooting are. India's team medal reinforces the depth of the national rifle programme, yet gold remains elusive in the most prestigious individual event — a pattern worth tracking as the Games progress. With India's 2023 record of 22 shooting medals as the benchmark, the 2026 squad carries real pressure to perform across disciplines, not just rifle.
NationPress
20 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the women's 10m air rifle team silver at Asian Games 2026?
India's team of Elavenil Valarivan, Sonam Uttam Maskar, and Vidarsa K Vinod won silver in the women's 10m air rifle team event at the Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya on 20 September. The trio accumulated 1,897 points, finishing behind China, with Japan taking bronze.
How did Elavenil Valarivan perform in the individual final?
Elavenil finished second in the women's 10m air rifle individual final with a score of 252.4. She led by 0.3 points entering the final two shots but was overtaken by Japan's Hinata Taichi, who claimed gold with an Asian Games record of 253.0.
What did PM Modi say about India's shooting medals at the Asian Games?
PM Modi congratulated both the team and Elavenil individually through posts on X by the PMO. He called the team result 'outstanding' and described Elavenil's double medal as 'even more special', adding that her success would inspire future athletes.
How many medals did India win in shooting at the previous Asian Games?
India's shooters won a record 22 medals at the 2023 Asian Games, comprising 7 gold, 9 silver, and 6 bronze — the most by any country in shooting at that edition of the Games.
Where are the Asian Games 2026 shooting events being held?
The shooting events at the Asian Games 2026 are being held at the Aichi Pref. General Shooting Gallery in Nagoya, Japan. The Games are taking place across the broader Nagoya-Aichi region.
