Sonam Maskar wins Asian Games silver in 10m air rifle team event, dedicates medal to parents
Synopsis
India's women's air rifle trio clinched silver at Nagoya with 1,897 points, while Elavenil Valarivan nearly topped the individual podium too — finishing just 0.6 points behind Japan's Asian Games record-setting gold medallist. Sonam Maskar's emotional dedication to her parents puts a human face on a strong shooting day for India.
Key Takeaways
Sonam Maskar , Elavenil Valarivan , and Vidarsa Kochalumkal won silver in the women's 10m air rifle team event at the Asian Games in Nagoya on 20 September .
The Indian team posted 1,897 points at the Aichi Pref.
General Shooting Gallery .
Elavenil Valarivan also won individual silver, scoring 252.4 , behind Japan's Hinata Taichi who set an Asian Games record of 253.0 .
Sonam Maskar , a two-time ISSF World Cup silver medallist , finished sixth in the individual event.
Sonam credited her parents, SAI , Indian Railways , and the Army for her success.
Rifle shooter Sonam Maskar dedicated her Asian Games silver medal to her parents on 20 September, hours after the Indian women's team clinched a podium finish in the 10m air rifle team event at Nagoya, Japan. The trio of Sonam Maskar, Elavenil Valarivan, and Vidarsa Kochalumkal secured the silver after posting 1,897 points at the Aichi Pref. General Shooting Gallery.
Sonam's Heartfelt Dedication
'It feels great to represent India at this level. I feel proud of winning the silver. I would dedicate this medal to my mom and dad; without them, I would not have been here,' Sonam said after the event.
The shooter also extended her gratitude to institutional backers who supported her journey. 'I got a lot of support from the government. SAI supported me well. I've got support from my own sponsors too. The Indian Railways and the Army also supported me in my journey,' she said, referring to the Sports Authority of India (SAI).
India's Double Silver Day in Air Rifle
Elavenil Valarivan had an exceptional outing, backing up the team silver with an individual silver in the women's 10m air rifle individual final. She finished on a score of 252.4, narrowly missing gold as Japan's Hinata Taichi claimed the top spot with an Asian Games record score of 253.0. South Korea's Ban Hyo-jin took bronze with 230.4.
Sonam also competed in the individual final but finished sixth, while the team's collective performance underlined India's growing depth in air rifle shooting at the continental level.
A Two-Time World Cup Medallist in the Mix
Sonam is a two-time silver medallist at ISSF World Cups, making her Asian Games podium finish a continuation of her rising trajectory on the global stage. This marks another milestone in her career, backed by dedicated institutional support from the government and sporting bodies.
What Comes Next
The Indian contingent is set to hold their celebrations after the men's air rifle event the following day. 'We will be celebrating with the team. Tomorrow, the men's event is also there, so we will be celebrating together after that,' Sonam said. India will be looking to add more medals to their shooting tally as the Games continue.
Point of View
But also a reminder that the final conversion — from consistent silver to consistent gold — remains India's unfinished business in precision shooting.
NationPress
20 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the silver medal in the women's 10m air rifle team event at the 2026 Asian Games?
India's team of Sonam Maskar, Elavenil Valarivan, and Vidarsa Kochalumkal won the silver medal in the women's 10m air rifle team event at the Asian Games in Nagoya on 20 September. The team posted 1,897 points at the Aichi Pref. General Shooting Gallery.
Who won the gold medal in the women's 10m air rifle individual event at the Asian Games?
Japan's Hinata Taichi won the gold medal with an Asian Games record score of 253.0. India's Elavenil Valarivan finished second with 252.4, and South Korea's Ban Hyo-jin took bronze with 230.4.
How did Sonam Maskar perform in the individual event?
Sonam Maskar qualified for the final of the women's 10m air rifle individual event but finished sixth. Her primary medal on the day came from the team event, where India claimed silver.
Who supported Sonam Maskar in her shooting career?
Sonam credited her parents as her primary inspiration, and also acknowledged support from the Sports Authority of India (SAI), Indian Railways, the Army, and personal sponsors for enabling her journey to the Asian Games podium.
What is Sonam Maskar's previous international record?
Sonam Maskar is a two-time silver medallist at ISSF World Cups, making her Asian Games silver a continuation of her strong international form in the 10m air rifle discipline.
