India’s Elavenil Valarivan claimed her first continental title after winning the women’s 10m air rifle gold medal at the Asian Shooting Championship 2025 in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, on Friday. Her stellar performance added another highlight to India’s successful campaign at the prestigious competition, which has already seen multiple podium finishes across events.
Elavenil Valarivan Creates History
In a thrilling final, Valarivan shot 253.6 points, edging out China’s Peng Xinlu (253.0) and Korea’s Kwon Eunji (231.2) to take the top spot. The victory marked a significant milestone for the 24-year-old shooter, who had previously represented India at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics but had been seeking a major continental breakthrough.
Indian teammate Mehuli Ghosh narrowly missed out on a medal, finishing fourth in the final. Despite the near miss, her consistency was evident throughout the competition and in the team event, where she played a key role.
Bronze for India in Women’s 10m Air Rifle Team Event
Alongside her individual gold, Valarivan secured a bronze medal in the women’s 10m air rifle team event with teammates Mehuli Ghosh and Ananya Naidu. The Indian trio scored 1891.0, placing them behind China, who clinched gold with a world record score of 1902.0, and South Korea, who secured silver with 1897.5.
In the qualifiers, Valarivan shot 630.7 to finish eighth, while Ghosh scored 630.3 to place tenth, ensuring both qualified for the final. Ananya Naidu missed qualification by a slim margin, scoring 630.0.
Mixed Team Skeet Bronze for Ganemat Sekhon and Abhay Singh Sekhon
India added another medal when Ganemat Sekhon and Abhay Singh Sekhon clinched bronze in the mixed team skeet event, defeating Kuwait 39-37 in the medal match. China beat Kazakhstan to win gold, while Qatar claimed the other bronze.
Meanwhile, the pair of Bhavtegh Singh Gill and Raiza Dhillon failed to advance to the medal rounds, but their participation added depth to India’s strong shooting contingent.
India’s Medal Tally So Far
With Valarivan’s gold, India’s medal count at the senior level of the Asian Shooting Championships rose to 10 medals – three gold, one silver, and six bronze.
Gold Medals: Elavenil Valarivan (Women’s 10m Air Rifle – Individual) Anantjeet Singh Naruka (Men’s Skeet – Individual) Men’s 10m Air Rifle Team Silver Medal: One silver medal from earlier events (details pending from ongoing rounds) Bronze Medals: Women’s 10m Air Rifle Team (Valarivan, Ghosh, Naidu) Ganemat Sekhon & Abhay Singh Sekhon (Mixed Team Skeet) Manu Bhaker (Women’s 10m Air Pistol – Individual & Team) Additional bronze medals from previous events across categories
Manu Bhaker Adds to India’s Medal Haul
Two-time Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker has been a consistent performer, winning bronze in both the women’s 10m air pistol individual and team events. She is also scheduled to compete in the 25m pistol category, where she is expected to be a strong contender for another medal.
A Strong Indian Contingent
India has sent a 35-member senior squad to compete in 15 events, while an additional 129 Indian shooters are participating in junior competitions at Shymkent. The depth of talent and consistent medal-winning performances highlight India’s growing stature in international shooting.
A Step Towards Dominance
China continues to lead the overall medal tally, but India’s haul of 10 medals – with multiple golds – signals the country’s steady rise as a shooting powerhouse in Asia. With events still ongoing, Indian shooters have several more opportunities to add to the tally and possibly challenge for the top spot.
Elavenil Valarivan’s gold not only underscores her individual brilliance but also reflects the strength and potential of India’s shooting program. With a mix of seasoned Olympians and emerging talent, India’s shooters are set to make 2025 a landmark year on the road to future global competitions.