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Vidarsa K Vinod Wins Keralam’s First Asian Games Shooting Medal
Vidarsa K Vinod is a shooter from Kozhikode, Keralam.
She helped India win a silver medal in the women’s 10-meter air rifle team event.
Her teammates were Elavenil Valarivan and Sonam Masker.
China won gold, and Japan won bronze.
This was Vinod’s first Asian Games.
She started shooting in 2018 through the National Cadet Corps.
Shooting equipment was expensive, so she sometimes used borrowed rifles and later took a loan to buy one.
Her coach helped her improve her technique and find a lighter rifle.
She will next compete in the 50-meter rifle three-position event on September 26.
Vidarsa K Vinod won silver with India in the women’s 10m air rifle team event at the Asian Games in Japan.
Vinod, Elavenil Valarivan and Sonam Masker scored 1898.0 points, finishing behind China’s 1904.2 and ahead of Japan’s 1897.1.
The medal was Vinod’s first at an Asian Games and is described as the first Asian Games shooting medal won by a female shooter from Keralam.
Vinod began shooting through the National Cadet Corps in 2018 and made it her profession the following year.
After training disruptions, equipment challenges and reliance on borrowed rifles, Vinod is preparing for the women’s 50m rifle three-position event on September 26.
- Who
- Vidarsa K Vinod, Elavenil Valarivan and Sonam Masker represented India in the women’s 10m air rifle team event.
- What
- India won the team silver medal, with reports describing Vinod as Keralam’s first female shooter to win an Asian Games medal.
- Where
- The Asian Games are being held in Japan; Vinod is from Kozhikode, Keralam, and does much of her training in Delhi.
- When
- The medal was won on Sunday; Vinod’s 50m rifle three-position event is scheduled for September 26.
- Why
- India’s combined score of 1898.0 placed it second behind China’s Games-record 1904.2.
Key facts
- Event
- Women’s 10m air rifle team competition
- India’s result
- Silver medal with 1898.0 points
- Vinod’s score
- 630.4 points
- Other Indian scores
- Sonam Masker: 634.1; Elavenil Valarivan: 633.5
- Gold and bronze
- China won gold with 1904.2; Japan won bronze with 1897.1
- Shooting career
- Started through the National Cadet Corps in 2018 and became a professional in 2019
- State reward
- Keralam announced Rs 30 lakh for Asian Games silver medalists
Quotes
Vidarsa K Vinod
Keralam shooter and Asian Games silver medalist
“I was speechless. I was improving my average and I became the Kerala No. 1 without any rifle or jacket at that time. I was delaying taking that plunge. So, that question actually made me think a lot. Then I discussed it with my parents and decided to get a new rifle. I took a loan for that.”
indianexpress.com
“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”
livemint.com
Sources
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