Asian Games 2026: “Tomorrow is a new challenge”, Elavenil Valarivan targets Mixed Team Event after winning double silver medals

Kolkata : Elavenil Valarivan is already looking to put her double-silver success behind her and shift focus to the next challenge, with the Indian shooter set to compete in the mixed team 10m air rifle event at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. Elavenil enjoyed a memorable day at the Games on Sunday, helping India win silver in the women’s 10m air rifle team event before claiming another silver in the individual competition at the Aichi Pref. General Shooting Gallery. However, with the mixed team event still to come, the shooter said she would take the learnings from Sunday’s competition but treat the next day as a fresh start.

“I think, of course, today’s success is something that I would… Today’s learning is something that I would be taking from here today. But tomorrow again, it’s a new day; it’s a new challenge for me,” Elavenil replied to an IANS query during a media interaction.

“We have the pre-event training tomorrow, and we have the mixed doubles match day after. So my goal is just to leave this off, take the learning from today’s event and head on to the next one,” she added.

Elavenil said she does not want the celebrations surrounding her two medals to distract her from the competition ahead, knowing she will have enough time to enjoy the achievement once she returns home.

“Of course, there is plenty of time for me once I am back at my home to celebrate,” she said.

With another event still to come, Elavenil also had a message for young shooters and athletes watching her performance.

“I think my message would be to believe in themselves. I mean, I keep telling this because I kind of have lately been doing this, that is, believing in myself, because when one starts to believe in themselves, I think there is no stopping. Let it be sports, let it be culture, let it be education, let it be whatever field they are choosing to be,” she said.

“If they have the trust in themselves that they can achieve what they want. I think that is the biggest takeaway that I can give,” she added.

Elavenil had earlier come close to gold in the individual final, leading for much of the competition before Japan’s Hinata Taichi produced a decisive finish to win the title with an Asian Games record score of 253.0. Elavenil finished on 252.4.

She had also helped India secure silver in the team event alongside Sonam Uttam Maskar and Vidarsa K. Vinod.

12 Years of Hardwork and sustained support –

Elavenil’s family celebrated her achievement, describing it as the result of 12 years of hard work and sustained support.

Her father, R Valarivan, said the medals were a proud moment for the family and a reward for years of preparation. He recalled that Elavenil had competed at the Olympics but narrowly missed out on a medal.

“We are very happy, because she has reaped the rewards for her 12 years of hard work. It was great achievement because she had narrowly missed an Olympic medal last year,” he said.

He also thanked coach Neha Chauhan, mentor Gagan Narang, the Gujarat government and Elavenil’s university for supporting her sporting career.

“Her coach Neha Chauhan, mentor Gagan Narang, the Gujarat Government, and college authorities have supported her a lot.”

Elavenil’s family said her next major goal is an Olympic medal. Her father expressed hope that she can achieve that target at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

Her mother, Saroja Valarivan, said the family watched the final live and remained proud despite Elavenil finishing with silver after being in contention for gold.

“We were watching the match live. She was leading from the beginning and there were high hopes of her getting a gold. However, winning a silver for India has made us very happy,” she said.

Speaking to her family after the event, Elavenil said the medal felt especially satisfying after a long period of preparation. She also thanked the Gujarat and Indian governments for their continued backing.

“They have played a huge role in my winning this medal,” she said.