Father overjoyed, mother proud; Family celebrates Vidarsa’s silver medal; historic first for Kerala

Kozhikode(Keralam): Vidarsa K Vinod has become the first female sportsperson from Kerala to win a medal in a shooting event at the Asian Games, securing silver in the women’s 10m air rifle team event at the 20th Asian Games in Japan.

Competing in her maiden Asian Games, Vinod is also taking part in the women’s 50m rifle 3 Positions event.

She is the daughter of Vinod and Anita Vinod of Kochalungal in Thiruvambady, Kozhikode.

Her father Vinod told Mathrubhumi.com that he was extremely happy and proud of his daughter’s achievement.

Although they had hoped she would win a medal, they did not expect it in the 10m event. The 50m event was her main discipline. Vidarsa called her family after winning the medal. She and her teammates are extremely happy, her father said.

The family first realised that Vidarsa had such a talent while she was studying at Guruvayurappan College in Kozhikode. She then began training at the Thondayad Rifle Club and went on to win medals in various competitions.

Vidarsa’s mother Anita also said she was proud of her daughter’s achievement for the country. The family celebrated the occasion by cutting a cake and distributing sweets.

Her father said he hoped his daughter would achieve many more milestones for the country.

Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan congratulated Vinod during a video call. Visuals of the interaction were later shared on his Facebook page. During the call, Satheesan told Vinod that people across Kerala were “happy and proud” of her achievement.

In a post along with the video, the CM said that she has achieved the rare distinction of being the first shooter from the state to win a medal at the Asian Games.

"We wish Vidarsa, who has made the nation proud through her hard work and determination, continued success in scaling new heights in the future. She is an asset for Keralam and the state will extend its full support and assistance to her," he said.

State Sports Minister O J Janeesh said that the government will take care of those who win medals for the nation in the Asian Games.

He also said that the government intends to take steps to provide jobs, in accordance with their eligibility, to such sportspersons.

Vinod, who got married a year-and-a-half ago, said right after her wedding she began her training and was taking part in international events, and therefore, she and her husband could not spend much time together.

She said that she started shooting in 2018 as part of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) and by the next year chose it as her profession.

She further said that most of her training takes place in Delhi.

Vinod said that it was due to the support of her parents, husband, other family members and her coach that she won a silver in the Asian Games.

Her father said that he hopes she wins gold in her main event.

Vinod said that this win has given her more energy to prepare for her main event, the 50 meter rifle 3 positions, which is on September 26.

She also welcomed the recent cash prizes announced by the state government for Asian Games medallists and said that it was also a huge motivation.

"Prior to this our sportspersons had not received any such cash prize from the government. So, this support gives us energy to perform," she said.

The Keralam government had earlier this month announced cash rewards of Rs 50 lakh for state athletes winning gold medals at the Asian Games, Rs 30 lakh for silver and Rs 20 lakh for bronze. (With inputs from PTI)