Elavenil Valarivan fires India to twin silver delight on day one of Asian Games

India’s shooting campaign at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games began on a high note, with experienced rifle shooter Elavenil Valarivan playing a starring role in the country’s double-silver haul in the women’s 10m air rifle competition, in Japan on Sunday (September 20, 2026).

Elavenil, one of India’s most accomplished rifle shooters, helped the country secure silver in the team event before adding an individual silver later in the day. The latter, however, came with a hint of disappointment as the Tamil Nadu-born shooter appeared firmly on course for gold for most of the final, only to see her challenge fade in the closing stages as Japan’s Hinata Taichi held her nerve to emerge champion.

The 2025 World Championship bronze medallist finished with 252.4 points, just 0.6 behind Taichi, who clinched gold with an Asian Games record 253.0.