Malayali shooter Vidarsa K Vinod makes history at Asian Games
Silver in 10m Air Rifle Team Event Makes Kozhikode’s Vidarsa
the First Malayali Shooter to Win an Asian Games Medal
KERALAM has a new sporting milestone to celebrate as Vidarsa K Vinod, a native of Thiruvambady in Kozhikode, scripted history by becoming the first Malayali shooter to win a medal at the Asian Games.
Vidarsa was part of the Indian women’s 10-metre air rifle team that won the silver medal at the 20th Asian Games being held in Japan. The Indian trio of Vidarsa, Elavenil Valarivan and Sonam Maskar finished second with a combined score of 1898.0 points.
China won gold with 1904.2 points, while hosts Japan took bronze.
The medal is particularly significant for Keralam as Vidarsa has become the first woman sportsperson from the state to win an Asian Games medal in shooting. It was also her debut appearance at the Asian Games.
Vidarsa contributed 630.4 points to India's team total, while Sonam Maskar scored 634.1 and Elavenil Valarivan 633.5. The Indian team's silver was also the country's first medal of the 2026 Asian Games.
Vidarsa's journey to the Asian Games began with the National Cadet Corps (NCC) in 2018. She took up shooting professionally the following year and underwent much of her training in Delhi. Her rise to the Asian Games podium came after years of dedicated preparation and international competition.
Speaking after her historic achievement, Vidarsa said she was extremely happy to win a medal at her first Asian Games. She also pointed out that there are relatively few shooters from Keralam, making the achievement especially meaningful for the state.
The silver has given Vidarsa added confidence ahead of her main event at the Games — the women's 50-metre rifle three-position competition, scheduled for September 26.
Her achievement has already drawn widespread appreciation in Keralam, with political and sporting leaders congratulating the young shooter.
From Thiruvambady in Kozhikode to the Asian Games podium in Japan, Vidarsa K Vinod has now etched her name into the history of Kerala shooting.
