"I got my medal for my country": Vidarsa Vinod gets grand welcome
Double Asian Games silver medallist Vidarsa Vinod returns to Kerala to a hero's welcome after her historic shooting performance.
Double Asian Games silver medallist Vidarsa Vinod was greeted with immense emotion and enthusiasm upon her return to her home state. The star shooter arrived at the Thiruvananthapuram Airport on Monday night, where a massive crowd of fans and family members gathered to celebrate her historic achievements at the Asian Games 2026.
Overwhelmed by the reception, Vidarsa expressed her gratitude to the people who turned up to honor her. "I got my medal for my country, for my Kerala people, and I was not expecting that I would get such a grand welcome. I feel so happy to be here. I am very excited to see all the people here," she told reporters at the airport.
A Historic Run in Aichi-Nagoya
Vidarsa's journey at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games was nothing short of legendary, as she secured two silver medals in crucial team events. Her performance has not only brought pride to India but has also etched her name in the history books of her home state.
The Silver Medal Tally:
- Women's 10m Air Rifle Team: Vidarsa, alongside Elavenil Valarivan and Sonam Uttam Maskar, secured the silver medal in the opening event of the Games. The trio achieved a combined qualification score of 1898.0 points to clinch the second spot.
- Women's 50m Rifle 3 Positions Team: Vidarsa, Tilottama Sen, and Ashi Chouksey earned another silver medal with a combined score of 1763.90x, finishing just behind the gold-winning Chinese team.
Notably, Vidarsa has become the first female sportsperson from Kerala to win an Asian Games medal in the discipline of shooting. Her precision was further highlighted as she and Tilottama also successfully qualified for the individual women's 50m rifle 3 positions final.
Government Recognition on the Horizon
In light of her extraordinary sporting feat, Kerala's Sports Minister, OJ Janeesh, has stepped forward to ensure the athlete is officially recognized by the state. The Minister has formally written to Chief Minister VD Satheesan, proposing that Vidarsa be appointed to a suitable government position under the existing sports quota provisions.
The proposal aims to honor her historic contribution to Indian sports and serve as a powerful motivation for the next generation of young athletes across Kerala. The move seeks to formalize the state's appreciation for a sportsperson who has brought international glory to the region.