The Asian Games 2026 got underway in Aichi-Nagoya on Sunday with India making a strong start to their medal campaign, picking up two silver medals in the women’s 10m air rifle competition.
Elavenil leads India’s medal charge
Elavenil Valarivan was at the centre of India’s opening-day medal rush, winning individual silver after earlier helping the country secure silver in the team event alongside Sonam Maskar and Vidarsa Vinod.In the individual final, Elavenil produced a score of 252.4 points to finish behind Japan’s Hinata Taichi, who won gold with an Asian Games record 253.0. South Korea’s Hyojin Ban claimed bronze with 230.4.Elavenil entered the final two shots just 0.3 points behind Taichi and remained firmly in contention after shooting 10.4 to the Japanese shooter’s 10.6, which stretched the gap to 0.5 points. Needing a strong final shot to turn the tables, Elavenil managed 10.1, but Taichi held her nerve with a 10.2 to seal the gold and set a new Asian Games record.The individual silver was Elavenil’s second medal of the day after she teamed up with Maskar and Vidarsa to finish second in the women’s 10m air rifle team event earlier on Sunday.India now have two shooting medals at the Aichi-Nagoya Games, both silver. The encouraging start comes after Indian shooters produced a record 22-medal haul at the Hangzhou Asian Games, including seven gold, nine silver and six bronze.
Suchika assures medal; hockey campaign begins
Mixed Martial Arts fighter Suchika Tariyal also assured India of a medal after reaching the semifinals of the women’s Traditional MMA 60kg competition.India’s hockey campaign also began on Sunday. The women’s team thrashed Uzbekistan 19-0 in its first game. The men’s side faces Indonesia in their opening match.Indian athletes were also in action across table tennis, badminton and cricket as the country began its campaign across multiple disciplines on the opening day.
India’s medals at Asian Games 2026
- 1. SILVER – Women’s 10m Air Rifle Team Event (Elavenil Valarivan, Sonam Maskar, Vidarsa Vinod)
- 2. SILVER – Elavenil Valarivan in women’s 10m Air Rifle
India’s Asian Games Day 1 Results
Shooting – Elavenil Valarivan, Sonam Maskar, Vidarsa Vinod won SILVER in Women’s 10m Air Rifle Team eventWushu – Suraj Singh Mayanglambam finished 11th in Men’s Changquan finalTeqball – Quimcy Dsouza lost to Yuina Sakamoto (Japan) in women’s singles Bronze Medal matchSwimming – Benediction Beniston finished 12th, and Akash Mani 23rd in Men’s 100m Freestyle HeatsTeqball – Quimcy Dsouza/Mohamed Anas Beg lost to Hoang Minh Tan Nguyen/Gia Ngih Trinh (Vietnam) in Mixed Doubles Bronze Medal matchSwimming – Rishabh Das finished fifth in Men’s 100m Backstroke Heats, and qualified for the final. Utkarsh Patil finished 12thMixed Martial Arts – Suchika Tariyal beat Altanchimeg Baigalmaa (Mongolia) in Women’s Traditional 60kg QuarterfinalHockey – India beat Uzbekistan 19-0 in Women’s Pool B matchTable Tennis – India beat Indonesia 3-0 in Women’s Team Group F matchTable Tennis – India beat Indonesia 3-0 in Men’s Team Group F matchShooting – Elavenil Valarivan won SILVER in Women’s 10m Air Rifle individual final; Sonam Maskar finished sixth
