India Wins Silver in Women's 10m Air Rifle Team at Asian Games

India's Silver Medal Achievement

In Nagoya, Japan, on September 20, India clinched the silver medal in the women's 10m air rifle team event during the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. The talented trio of Elavenil Valarivan, Sonam Maskar, and Vidarsa Vinod marked the country's first medal at this year's Games.

Vidarsa, who placed 9th in the individual qualifying round and team final, expressed her joy at competing in the Asian Games and felt satisfied with her performance after giving it her all.

The Indian team accumulated a total of 1898 points, securing the second position behind China.

Initially anticipating pressure at such a prestigious event, Vidarsa managed to calm her nerves by treating the competition like any other. She focused on her routine, which allowed her to relax and enjoy the experience.

"I feel fantastic to have participated in the Asian Games. Competing in the 10-meter air rifle event today, I gave my best and am truly pleased with my performance," Vidarsa Vinod shared.

"I thought I would feel a lot of pressure, but I didn’t. I was simply enjoying the competition. At first, I felt some pressure, but then I realized it was just like any other event. The timing and procedures were the same, and I just needed to follow them. Once I understood that, the pressure lifted, and I could enjoy the competition," she added.

Vidarsa attributed her calm demeanor to the team's thorough preparation and training camps held in Delhi prior to the tournament. The emphasis was on enjoying the competition and performing well rather than succumbing to pressure.

"Our team never imposes pressure on us. They prepared us excellently, and we had two training camps in Delhi focused on helping us enjoy the competition and perform our best. That preparation made me feel mentally and physically ready for the Games. I felt well-prepared upon arrival, and I’m feeling great," she stated.

She also mentioned that the team encountered some initial difficulties with accommodation and logistics on the first day of the Asian Games, but noted that conditions have since improved, with transportation and lodging now organized.

"Yes, the first day was a bit challenging for us due to high expectations and some initial hurdles. However, everything is fine now. It was just the first day. We have transportation arranged, the accommodation is satisfactory, and everything has settled down. Overall, things are progressing well," she concluded.