Gujarat Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi honours Elavenil for double medal run at Asian Games 2026
Gujarat Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi felicitates shooter Elavenil Valarivan with Rs 1.33 crore for her double silver medal feat at the Asian Games 2026.
In a grand gesture to celebrate sporting excellence, Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi felicitated renowned shooter Elaveni Valarivan for her stellar performance at the ongoing Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya. Recognizing her extraordinary feat of securing two silver medals in rifle shooting, the Deputy CM presented her with a cheque amounting to Rs 1.33 crore under the Sports Talent Award Scheme.
During the felicitation ceremony, Sanghavi reaffirmed the state government's dedication to nurturing athletic talent and providing the necessary support to prepare Indian athletes for the world's biggest competitive stages.
A Double Silver Triumph in Aichi-Nagoya
Elavenil Valarivan's journey at the 2026 Asian Games was nothing short of remarkable, marked by precision and composure. Her medal haul began on September 20, when she showcased incredible teamwork in the women’s 10m air rifle team event. Alongside teammates Sonam Maskar and Vidarsa Vinod, Elavenil secured a silver medal with a combined qualification aggregate score of 1898.0 points.
The momentum did not stop there. On that very same day, Elavenil transitioned from team success to individual brilliance. Competing in the women’s 10m air rifle individual event, she remained a top contender for the gold throughout the final. While Japan's Hinata Taichi managed to clinch the top spot in the closing moments, Elavenil's consistent performance earned her a well-deserved second silver medal.
India's Growing Medal Tally
The performance of the Indian shooting contingent has been a significant contributor to the nation's overall success at the games. As the competition progresses, India has amassed a total of 39 medals, consisting of:
- Gold: 4
- Silver: 17
- Bronze: 18
Dramatic Shoot-offs: Esha Singh Secures Silver
The excitement at the shooting range was further heightened by another thrilling performance from Esha Singh. In the women's 25m pistol final, Singh engaged in a high-stakes battle that required multiple shoot-offs to decide the podium finishers.
The contest saw a fierce rivalry between Singh and China's Xiao Jiaruixian. After a series of intense rounds, both shooters were tied at 38 points, leading to a dramatic conclusion. While Singh successfully navigated a shoot-off against North Korea's Kim Hyon Suk to secure at least a silver, the battle for gold went to a final deciding five-shot contest against Xiao. Ultimately, Xiao hit three targets compared to Singh's two, leaving the Indian shooter with a hard-fought silver medal.