Elavenil Valarivan's Silver Medal Triumph at Asian Games 2026

'12 Years of Dedication': Family Celebrates Elavenil's Success

The family of Indian shooter Elavenil Valarivan expressed immense joy following her achievement of winning silver medals in both the women's 10m air rifle individual and team events at the Asian Games 2026. They attributed this success to over a decade of hard work and the unwavering support from coaches, mentors, and various authorities.

In an interview after her remarkable performances, Elavenil's father, R. Valarivan, shared that this silver medal is a proud milestone for their family, emphasizing the support she has received throughout her journey. "We are thrilled because this reflects her 12 years of dedication. She competed in the Olympics but narrowly missed a medal last year. This year, she has succeeded at the Asian Games, and we are very proud," he stated.

He extended his gratitude to Elavenil's coach, Neha Chauhan, her mentor, Gagan Narang, the Gujarat Government, and her university for their significant support in her athletic career. "Her coach and mentor, along with the Gujarat Government, have provided immense support. Her university also facilitated her studies without any interruptions during her training," he added.

Looking ahead, R. Valarivan mentioned that Elavenil's primary goal is to secure an Olympic medal. "Her aim is to win a medal at the Olympics. I believe she will achieve that next time. I ask for your blessings and support for her Olympic journey," he remarked.

Elavenil's mother, Saroja Valarivan, shared that the family watched the final live and felt proud of her performance, despite not winning gold. "We were watching her compete live. She was leading, and we had high hopes for a gold medal. Ultimately, she secured silver, which makes us very proud for both India and Gujarat," she expressed.

She noted that Elavenil's achievement marked the beginning of India's medal tally at the Asian Games and expressed confidence in her daughter's Olympic aspirations. "We are all very happy. It feels amazing that she has brought home a medal for India, starting our medal count. Shooting is one of the first events, and we didn't miss out; we earned two medals, which is fantastic," Saroja stated.

"She is determined to win an Olympic medal. We have to wait for another two years until the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. We pray for her success, and with the support she receives, I believe she will bring home a medal for India," she added.

Elavenil Expresses Gratitude to Supporters

During a video call with her family after winning the silver medal, Elavenil expressed her happiness about her long preparation finally paying off. "I am thrilled to have won this medal. It feels wonderful, and speaking with my family makes it even better. I have been training for this for a long time, and it feels great to see the results," she shared.

Elavenil also thanked both the Gujarat Government and the Indian Government for their ongoing support. "They have played a crucial role in my success, and I am incredibly grateful for their continued backing. They are doing everything possible to help me progress further in my career," she stated.

Her sister-in-law, Deepa Eraivan, congratulated Elavenil, calling this achievement a proud moment after years of hard work. "I am extremely happy that after 12 years of dedication, she has won such a significant medal. Winning a silver medal is a remarkable achievement and a moment of pride for our family and for India," Deepa remarked.

Silver Medals in Individual and Team Events

Elavenil secured silver in the women's 10m air rifle individual final, finishing second to Japan's Hinata Taichi. Earlier, she also won another silver medal in the team event, competing alongside Sonam Maskar and Vidarsa Vinod at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026.