India's Elavenil Valarivan made headlines on the opening day of the Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya, Japan, claiming silver in the women's 10m air pistol individual event — her first individual Asian Games medal after two previous appearances without reaching the podium. Adding to her reward, she also brought home a team silver, marking a remarkable twin-medal debut for the accomplished shooter.
Valarivan, known for her composure under pressure, finished as runner-up in the individual final, falling just short of gold in a tightly contested range. Her performance marked a turning point in a quest that began at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and continued through the 2022 Hangzhou editions, both of which passed without a podium finish for the Tamil Nadu marksman.
The team event saw India fielding a strong lineup alongside Valarivan, and the squad delivered a consistent performance throughout the competition to secure another silver. The duo of medals on day one put India among the early leaders in the shooting medal tally.
Shooting has long been a source of pride for India at the Asian Games, and Valarivan's breakthrough performance added immediate optimism to the contingent. With the multi-sport event stretching across over a week, her early success is expected to inspire fellow Indian shooters aiming for their own podium finishes.
India's shooting team entered the Games with high expectations, and Valarivan's twin silvers provided a fitting start to their campaign in Nagoya.
