Indian Shooter Vidarsha Vinod Celebrates Silver Medal at Asian Games
Vidarsha Vinod's Triumph at the Asian Games
After achieving a medal in the women's 10 m air rifle team event at the Asian Games, Indian shooter Vidarsha Vinod expressed her joy and dedicated her success to her coach.
Competing alongside Elavenil Valarivan and Sonam Maskar, Vidarsha helped secure India's first medal at the Asian Games. The trio amassed a total of 1898.0 points, earning a silver medal, while China took gold with a world-record score of 1904.2 points. Japan finished third, claiming bronze with 1897.1 points.
Reflecting on Her Challenging Journey
In an interview following her victory, Vidarsha shared, "I am incredibly happy and thankful for this medal. We achieved this for India, and I feel immense pride."
"The path to this moment has been long and arduous, spanning nearly eight years. I faced numerous challenges and sacrifices, but I never considered giving up, which has brought me to this point," she added.
Dedication to Coach and Family
Vidarsha dedicated her medal to her coach, Manoj Kumar, whom she credited as a pivotal figure in her success.
"I want to dedicate this medal first to my coach, Manoj Kumar sir, who has been instrumental in my journey. Secondly, to my parents, family, husband, and brother. Lastly, to my sponsors: Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ), Sports Authority of India (SAI), and the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI)," she concluded.
Support from Her Husband
Her husband, Manu, has been a significant source of support throughout her career. He reflected on their journey and his role in her success.
"It feels amazing because this medal is the culmination of years of hard work. We have put in so much effort. Vidarsha spent considerable time in Delhi training with her coach, which contributed to her success. I am thrilled for her," Manu stated.
"I have always been there for her, providing unwavering support, which has helped her reach this milestone. Although I am also a shooter and coach in Kerala, today we dedicate this medal to our coach, our parents, and everyone who supported us, especially India," he added.
India's Promising Start at the Asian Games
This achievement marks India's first confirmed medal at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. Earlier, MMA fighter Suchika Tariyal became the first Indian athlete to secure a medal by reaching the semifinals in the women’s Traditional MMA 60kg category, where both losing semifinalists receive bronze medals.
Additionally, Elavenil Valarivan won a silver medal in the women's 10m air rifle final at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026, further solidifying India's strong performance in shooting at this continental event. Elavenil finished second to Japan's Hinata Taichi, who took home the gold, while South Korea's Ban Hyojin earned the bronze.