Nagoya (Japan): Just as India’s top female shooter Manu Bhaker, who hails from Haryana, created a sensation by winning two bronze medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Ahmedabad-based shooter Elavenil Valarivan came up with a memorable performance on Sunday by winning two silver medals at the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, helping India maintain its medal tally.
Apart from Elavenil’s two silver medals, India did not win any other medal on Sunday. However, both the Indian women’s and men’s hockey teams registered victories, the Indian women’s T20 cricket team reached the final, while Indian players also made a promising start in badminton and table tennis.
Twenty-seven-year-old shooter Elavenil is originally from Tamil Nadu but was brought up in Ahmedabad. Her father, R. Valarivan, is a PhD scholar, while her mother, Dr Saroja, is a college teacher. Elavenil’s brother is an officer in the Indian Army.
Elavenil had failed to win a medal at either of the previous two editions of the Asian Games, but this time she made a stunning impact on the very first day by winning two medals. China led the medal table with 20 medals, including 11 golds, while Japan were second with 20 medals, including six golds. India were 10th on Sunday with two silver medals.
The 2025 World Championship bronze medallist Elavenil won silver in the women’s 10m air rifle event with a score of 252.4 points. She finished just 0.6 points behind Japan’s Hinata Taichi, who won the gold medal. Earlier, Elavenil had teamed up with Sonam Maskar and Vidarsa Vinod to win a silver medal for India in the team shooting event.
Prime Minister Modi Congratulates Elavenil
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the Indian women’s shooting team, particularly Elavenil Valarivan, on social media and wished them success for the future.
Suchika Assured of at Least a Bronze in MMA
In mixed martial arts (MMA), which includes striking, takedowns, grappling and ground fighting, India’s 36-year-old Suchika Taryal defeated Mongolia’s Baiglama 2-0 in the 60kg category to reach the semi-finals.
Under the tournament rules, losing semi-finalists are awarded bronze medals. Therefore, Suchika is assured of at least a bronze medal in the competition.
Good Starts in Table Tennis and Badminton Too
India’s men’s and women’s teams made winning starts in the Asian Games table tennis competition. The Indian men’s team defeated Indonesia 3-0, while the women’s team also beat Indonesia 3-0.
However, the men’s team lost 0-3 to Iran in the second round. The Indian women’s team, meanwhile, made an impressive comeback in the second round to defeat Singapore 3-2.
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In badminton, the Indian team featuring P. V. Sindhu, Unnati Hooda and Tanvi Sharma defeated Kazakhstan 3-0 to reach the quarter-finals, where India will face Japan.
In wushu, the martial art, India’s Suraj Singh Maynglambam finished 11th in the men’s Sanda category finals. In swimming, India’s Rishabh Das finished sixth in the 100m backstroke with a timing of 54.77 seconds.