Nagoya/Internet/Hyderabad, Sept 20 (Maxim News): India opened its medal campaign at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya with two silver medals in women’s 10m air rifle on Sunday.
Elavenil Valarivan led India’s early medal charge, winning silver in the individual event after helping India finish second in the team competition.
In the team event, Elavenil, Sonam Maskar and Vidarsa Vinod combined for 1,898.0 points to win silver. China took gold with 1,904.2 points, while hosts Japan won bronze with 1,897.1.
Elavenil then returned for the individual final and secured her second silver of the day.
She scored 252.4 points, finishing behind Japan’s Taichi Hinata, who won gold with 253.0 and set an Asian Games record. South Korea’s Ban Hyojin took bronze with 230.4.
Asian Games 2026 | India Builds Early Medal Tally in Aichi-Nagoya
Elavenil entered the individual final after finishing seventh in qualification with 633.5 points. She moved into contention during the final and remained close to Taichi in the closing stages.
The Indian shooter was only 0.3 points behind the Japanese competitor heading into the final two shots. Taichi eventually extended her lead and secured the gold.
India also secured another medal through Suchika Tariyal in women’s Traditional 60kg MMA. Tariyal defeated Mongolia’s Altanchimeg Baigalmaa 2-0 in the quarterfinal to reach the semifinals, assuring India at least a bronze medal.
The Indian women’s cricket team is also in action in the semifinal against Bangladesh, with a place in the final at stake. The winner will be assured of at least a silver medal.
India’s hockey teams have also begun their campaigns, with the women’s team facing Uzbekistan and the men’s team taking on Indonesia. Badminton, table tennis, wushu and other Indian athletes are also competing on the opening day.
India won a record 107 medals at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, including 28 gold, 38 silver and 41 bronze. The Aichi-Nagoya Games will continue until October 4. (Maxim News)
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