Vidarsa K. Vinod 12th in 10m, wins team silver for India at Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games
Vidarsa K. Vinod finished 12th in the individual 10m air rifle and won a team silver at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya on September 20, 2026. The Indian rifle shooter spoke to media at the range after the event.
Keralam is not traditionally associated with shooting, but Vidarsa has risen quickly within the State and nationally since she began the sport. She started shooting in 2018 as an NCC cadet in college and chose rifle because there was no pistol available; she took up 10m air rifle initially to improve her standing posture for the 50m event. “I was actually not even expecting to participate in both events. My first competition (in 10m) was in 2025, where I scored my personal best, which is when I realised I can do both. There are multiple shooters worldwide doing both, so I thought I could too,” she shrugged.
Her first outing at the Asian Games produced a 12th-place finish in the individual 10m air rifle and a team silver medal. The result contrasted with her rapid rise through local and national ranks but did secure a podium finish for the team.
Reflecting on the path to selection, she described the mental and physical preparation that preceded the Games. “After I got to know I had a chance to be selected for the Asian Games, I was preparing mentally and physically. There was some pressure and the last selection trial was a little difficult for everyone. It took me almost eight years to achieve this and the journey was very difficult. There was a lot of struggle, self-doubt, failure, and I kept asking myself whether I was on the right path and if I was doing the right thing. The Asian Games selection was the moment I realised I was doing the right thing... so it means a lot,” she had admitted in an exclusive interaction earlier in Bhopal.
She said the experience at the Games did not feel markedly different from other international competitions. “The experience has been good but I had a lot of expectations, Asian Games is a big event but I didn’t feel anything different, it’s just the name of the tournament that makes it special. The way I managed match pressure, it felt like a normal competition.”
Vidarsa signalled continued determination after a campaign she described as only the beginning of a longer pursuit. “Coming from a village where people have a limited vision and ambition, I have always wanted more. I am not ready to give up in the face of failures,” she promised.
On the immediate next step, she told The Hindu at the range: “I am satisfied. My main event is 50m 3P and I am confident of that. There is no nervousness or doubts... although I will start training for it only from tomorrow [Monday],”