Elavenil Valarivan Shines at Asian Games with Silver in Women’s 10m Air Rifle
On Sunday, Elavenil Valarivan dominated the women’s 10m air rifle final for much of the competition but ultimately finished with a silver medal. After taking 20 shots, Elavenil was leading with a score of 211.1, just ahead of Japan’s Hinata Taichi. However, Hinata took the lead with stronger shots towards the end, scoring 10.6 and then 10.2 to finish at 253.0, setting a new Asian Games record. Elavenil’s score of 252.4 earned her silver, just 0.6 points shy of the gold. The reigning Olympic champion, Ban Hyo-jin, finished in third place with 230.4.
Despite the heartbreak, Elavenil reflected positively on her performance and didn’t shy away from acknowledging the challenges she faced. When asked about dealing with pressure, she stated, “I wouldn’t say it affected me. For me, it was more important to stick to my technique with each shot.”
In her post-match interview, Elavenil noted that she learned valuable lessons during the final three shots of the competition. “There are definitely things I could have done better, and I’m focused on learning from them. I could have been more patient and worked more on my breathing,” she explained.
Elavenil has had a journey filled with both triumphs and setbacks. She was already a teenage world-record holder when she first entered the Asian Games eight years ago. Until now, she hadn’t won a medal at the Games but managed to bag two on Sunday: an individual silver and a team silver earned earlier in the day alongside teammates Sonam Uttam Maskar and Vidarsa K Vinod, marking India’s first medal of the competition.
Expressing her joy, Elavenil remarked, “Today is a very special day for me because this is my first medal at the Games. I’ve participated in three Games, including two Olympics, without a medal, so I’m going to cherish this one deeply.”
Elavenil’s rise began in 2018 when, at just 18 years old, she won gold at the Junior ISSF World Cup in Sydney and set a junior world record. She faced challenges along the way, including missing the finals in previous Asian Games and the Olympics. However, she secured a victory in the Asian Championships last year and defended her title this year, filling the gap in her achievements.
Reflecting on her mindset, Elavenil noted that her perspective has shifted over the years. “Earlier in my career, it was all about making the team and winning competitions, but now I’ve learned to enjoy the sport itself. I’m happy to just be a part of the team and represent my country,” she said.
She also clarified the difference between qualification and finals. “Qualification is about being strategic with time, but finals are different; there’s a shorter time, and you must bring your best in that moment,” she explained.
On the technical side, Elavenil felt her shot execution was good but recognized areas for improvement. “My triggering was strong today, but there were moments I could have held off on my shots for better timing,” she added.
Elavenil has faced her share of self-doubt, especially during tough training periods. “There have been times when I felt uncertain and frustrated, but my support system—my coach, psychologist, and teammates—has kept me going,” she said. A call from her long-time mentor, Gagan Narang, before the final provided encouragement.
As she continues her journey, Elavenil remains positive about the future. “Looking back, I see how much I’ve grown since my first Asian Games, and I’m grateful for every opportunity to keep learning,” she said.
With a silver medal in hand, Elavenil Valarivan embodies the spirit of perseverance, knowing well that every competition is a chance to grow and that enjoying the process is just as vital as striving for victory. Her message to aspiring athletes? “Believe in yourselves. When you trust in your abilities, there are no limits.”
For Elavenil, the journey doesn’t end with a silver; it’s just one more step in her ongoing quest for success.
