Thiruvananthapuram: Asian Games 2026 double silver medallist Vidarsa K Vinod received a warm and emotional welcome from fans and family members after arriving at Thiruvananthapuram Airport on Monday night.
The Kerala shooter returned home after a memorable campaign at the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, where she won two silver medals in shooting. She first helped India secure silver in the women’s 10m air rifle team event before adding another silver in the women’s 50m rifle team event.
Speaking to ANI at the airport, Vidarsa said she was delighted by the reception and had not expected such a grand welcome.
“I got my medal for my country, for my Kerala people, and I was not expecting that I would get such a grand welcome. I feel so happy to be here. I am very excited to see all the people here,” she said.
Vidarsa returns with two Asian Games silver medals
Vidarsa’s Asian Games campaign began with the women’s 10m air rifle team event, where she teamed up with Elavenil Valarivan and Sonam Uttam Maskar.
The Indian trio finished second with a combined score of 1,898.0 pointsbehind China, which won gold with 1,904.2 points. Japan took the bronze medal. Vidarsa contributed 630.4 points to India’s total.
The medal was particularly significant for Kerala as Vidarsa became the state’s first shooter to win an Asian Games medal. Her achievement also marked an important moment for a state that has had relatively limited representation in elite shooting.
Her second medal came in the women’s 50m rifle team eventwhere she competed alongside Ashi Chouksey and Tilottama Sen. The Indian team finished with 1,673 points to claim another silver medal behind China. Vidarsa also scored 588 points in the qualification round and finished sixth individually.
A journey that began with NCC
Vidarsa’s success in Nagoya follows a shooting journey that began through the National Cadet Corps (NCC).
According to NDTV’s profile of the shooter, she first took up a rifle during an NCC camp in 2018. Her talent was noticed by coach Vipin Das V.who encouraged her to join the Kozhikode District Rifle Association and began coaching her that year.
Before taking up shooting seriously, Vidarsa had been involved in music and dance during her school years. She later enrolled at Guruvayurappan College in Kozhikode, where her association with the NCC introduced her to the sport.
Her early training was carried out with the facilities available at the Kozhikode District Rifle Association. She also travelled to Thiruvananthapuram to train at an electronic shooting range.
From local shooting range to Asian Games podium
Vidarsa’s progression eventually took her to Delhi from 2021, where she competed at the national level and worked towards earning a place in India’s international shooting squad.
The journey also involved considerable financial demands. Shooting at the elite level requires specialised equipment, including a competition rifle, shooting jacket, shoes and ammunition. NDTV reported that her equipment alone cost around ₹10 lakhapart from coaching, travel and other expenses.
Her family played an important role in supporting her career. Her father, Vinod, is a skilled mason, and the family backed her pursuit of shooting before she eventually secured a place in the Indian team and received a scholarship.
Her achievement in Japan has now brought national attention to the shooter from Kerala.
Vidarsa’s Asian Games success
The 10m air rifle team silver was particularly close. India finished just ahead of hosts Japan, while China set a world record with 1,904.2 points for the gold medal. Vidarsa’s individual contribution of 630.4 points was part of India’s narrow margin over Japan.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also congratulated Vidarsa, Elavenil Valarivan and Sonam Uttam Maskar after India’s silver medal in the event. The Prime Minister’s Office said the trio’s performance would inspire athletes in the coming years.
Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya also congratulated the three shooters following their performance in the women’s 10m air rifle team event.
For Vidarsa, however, the Asian Games campaign did not end with the first medal. She went on to add another silver in the 50m rifle team event, making her one of India’s notable performers in shooting at the Games.
A special moment for Kerala
The reception at Thiruvananthapuram Airport reflected the attention her performances have generated in Kerala.
Vidarsa’s success has particular significance because she became the first Malayali woman to win an Asian Games shooting medal. Her two-medal campaign has also highlighted the potential of athletes from Kerala in a sport that has traditionally been dominated by competitors from a handful of states.
Her journey from an NCC camp and a local shooting association to the Asian Games podium has also brought attention to the role played by coaches, sporting clubs and families in developing athletes.
Focus now turns to the future
Vidarsa’s Asian Games medals add to a career that is still developing. Her principal focus has been the 50m rifle discipline and she has previously spoken about her ambitions of competing at the Olympics and winning a medal for India.
Her double-silver performance in Nagoya gives her an important international achievement to build on as she continues her shooting career.
For now, the focus is on celebrating her return home. The grand reception at Thiruvananthapuram Airport marked a memorable homecoming for a shooter who returned from Japan with two Asian Games silver medals and a significant place in Kerala’s sporting history.