Indian women’s 10m air rifle team wins silver at Asian Games; Malayali Vidarsa Vinod part of trio

Nagoya: Vidarsa K Vinod has created history by becoming the first woman sportsperson from Kerala to win a medal in shooting at the Asian Games, securing silver in the women’s 10m air rifle team event at the 20th Asian Games in Japan.

The medal came in Vinod’s debut Asian Games. She is also competing in the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions event, which she considers her main event.

Speaking to a television channel after the medal win, Vinod said she was delighted to have won a medal at her first Asian Games.

“There are very few people from Kerala in this sport and I am happy to be the first woman from the state to win a medal in shooting,” she said.

‘Everyone is happy and proud’

Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan congratulated Vinod through a video call, with visuals of the interaction shared on his Facebook page.

During the call, the Chief Minister told her that everyone was “happy and proud” of her achievement.

In a post accompanying the video, Satheesan said Vinod had achieved the rare distinction of becoming the first shooter from Kerala to win an Asian Games medal.

“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 Kerala and the state will extend its full support and assistance to her,” he said.

State Sports Minister O J Janeesh said the government would support sportspersons who win medals for the country at the Asian Games. He also said steps would be taken to provide jobs to eligible medal-winning athletes.

Started shooting through NCC

Vinod began shooting in 2018 as part of the National Cadet Corps (NCC). By the following year, she had decided to pursue the sport professionally.

Most of her training takes place in Delhi.

Vinod, who got married around a year and a half ago, said she resumed training soon after her wedding and continued competing in international events. As a result, she and her husband have not been able to spend much time together.

She credited her parents, husband, other family members and coach for helping her reach the Asian Games podium.

“Without any of their support, I could not have achieved this,” she said.

Her mother, speaking to a television channel, said she could not find the words to express her happiness and added that she was proud of her daughter.

Vinod’s father said he hoped his daughter would go on to win gold in her main event.

Silver medal boosts confidence ahead of main event

Vinod said the Asian Games silver had given her additional motivation ahead of the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions event on September 26.

She also welcomed the cash prizes recently announced by the Kerala government for Asian Games medallists, saying the support would motivate athletes to perform better.

“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 Kerala government had earlier announced cash rewards of ₹50 lakh for state athletes winning gold at the Asian Games, ₹30 lakh for silver and ₹20 lakh for bronze.