China set the bar impossibly high. A world-record 1904.2 points. But India didn't flinch. Elavenil Valarivan, Sonam Maskar, and Vidarsa Vinod delivered a collective 1898.0 to secure silver in the women's 10m air rifle team event on Sunday. It’s a strong opener for the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya.
Sonam was the engine room, posting 634.1 points. Elavenil was right on her heels with 633.5, while Vidarsa chipped in with 630.4. Together, they outpaced hosts Japan, who settled for bronze with 1897.1. The margin was thin—less than a point between India and Japan—but the gap to gold was massive.
Here’s the kicker. It doesn’t end today. Both Elavenil and Sonam punched their tickets to the individual final. That means two Indian shooters are in the eight-woman showdown later Sunday. One podium is locked. Two more medals are on the table.
Context matters. India returned from Hangzhou with a record 22 medals, including seven golds. Starting this campaign with silver keeps the momentum humming. The pressure is on, but the target is clear: convert that individual final into gold.