Nagoya, September 20 (Daily Kiran) : Vidarsha K. Vinod from India narrowly missed the top eight in the women’s 10-meter air rifle qualification at the Asian Games 2026, scoring 630.4. Despite this setback, she celebrated a significant achievement by securing a silver medal in the team event, marking India’s first medal at this year’s games.
In an interview, Vinod shared her journey, stating, “I am from Kerala, but I train in Delhi. Initially, shooting was quite challenging for me. I lacked proper guidance until I met my husband, who now makes all decisions related to my training.”
Reflecting on her experience at the Asian Games, she expressed, “The thrill and experience are beyond words. Before coming here, everyone told me how lucky I was to have this opportunity. However, I don’t see it that way. I have worked hard for eight years to reach this point. Participating in the Asian Games has been a dream come true.”
Vinod acknowledged the pressure of competition, saying, “I can’t deny that there is pressure, especially at the start. But now, I feel all competitions are similar, so I try not to overthink it. I focus on my preparation.”
Regarding her education, she mentioned, “I have completed my graduation. My entire focus is now on shooting. I had planned to pursue post-graduation, but due to competitions, I couldn’t. We need to participate in various events like the World Cup, Asian Championships, and domestic competitions, which take up a lot of time.”
She added, “My husband is here with me in Japan for support. My entire family is back in India, sending me their blessings. My coach, Manoj Kumar, is also by my side.”
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