Indian shooter Elavenil Valarivan won the gold medal in the women’s 10m air rifle event at the 16th Asian Shooting Championships in Shymkent, Kazakhstan on August 22, 2025. At 26, she scored an impressive 253.6 points in the final, setting a new Asian record and firmly securing India’s second senior individual gold at the event. China’s Xinlu Peng took silver, and Korea’s Eunji Kwon claimed bronze.
Indian teammate Mehuli Ghosh finished fourth. Officials praised Valarivan’s unwavering focus and mental strength under pressure, highlighting the significance of her victory for Indian shooting’s growing dominance in Asia and building momentum for upcoming global contests.
A Masterclass in Composure and Precision
Elavenil Valarivan showcased remarkable composure and consistency in a challenging final. After qualifying eighth with a score of 630.7 in the preliminaries, she steadily raised her game, hitting scores consistently above 10.5 per shot. Despite a slight dip at one point, she recovered quickly to maintain a commanding lead.
Her final tally of 253.6 points not only earned her the gold but also shattered the six-year-old Asian Championship record. Speaking after the event, National Rifle Association of India officials and head coach Deepali Deshpande praised her resilience, noting that she had been battling minor physical discomfort in the days leading up to the final but delivered a near-flawless performance when it mattered most.
Building on a Steady Rise
Valarivan’s journey in shooting has been marked by steady progress and persistent effort. Honing her skills under Olympic medallist Gagan Narang’s Gun for Glory Academy, she won her first Asian Championship gold back in 2019 and has since accumulated multiple World Cup medals.
She is currently ranked 11th globally and aims to break back into the top 10. Alongside her individual success, she helped India secure a team bronze in the women’s 10m air rifle event, further boosting the country’s medal tally. Her performance adds to a silver by Mehuli Ghosh and bronze by Manu Bhaker in other shooting disciplines at the same championships, signalling India’s dominance particularly through its emerging talent pool.
Contextualising the Victory: India’s Shooting Landscape
India’s strong showing at the Asian Shooting Championships is part of a broader story of growing prominence on the international stage. With 35 senior shooters competing across 15 events and over 120 juniors participating, the championships reflected not only current excellence but also promising future prospects.
India leads the medal tally behind only China and demonstrated depth across rifle, pistol, and skeet disciplines. Notably, Anantjeet Singh Naruka’s win in men’s skeet and the juniors setting a world and Asian record in women’s junior 10m air rifle team event have further underlined this progress. Valarivan’s gold consolidates India’s reputation as a formidable shooting nation as the sport gears up for the World Championships later this year and the Asian Games in 2026.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Elavenil Valarivan’s triumph illuminates the broader values of perseverance, mental strength, and dedication — qualities that define many Indian athletes challenging traditional barriers.
Her win is not just a sporting success but an inspiring call to foster gender equality and nurture talent irrespective of background. It reflects how focus and resilience amidst adversity can yield exceptional outcomes. As India’s women shooters continue to rise, they contribute to a positive narrative of empowerment and inclusivity.
