Tamil Nadu gold medal hero shines with composure and class
Tamil Nadu gold medal success echoed across the Asian Shooting Championship in Shymkent as Elavenil Valarivan claimed the women’s 10m air rifle crown on Friday, August 22, 2025. The 26-year-old shooter delivered a composed and clinical performance in the final, scoring 253.6 to stand tall on the podium. For Valarivan, this marked her second Asian gold, the first having come back in 2019 when she was still sharpening her skills under Olympic medallist Gagan Narang at the Gun for Glory Academy.
The silver medal went to China’s Xinlu Peng with a score of 253, while Korea’s Eunji Kwon took bronze with 231.2. Fellow Indian Mehuli Ghosh narrowly missed a medal, finishing fourth with 208.9 in a competitive final that had three Indian shooters in the spotlight.
Valarivan’s road to the medal was anything but straightforward. She had qualified in eighth place with a score of 630.7, making the final just by the slimmest margin. Mehuli Ghosh, who initially finished 10th, also sneaked into the medal round when higher-ranked teammates Arya Borse and Sonam Maskar stepped aside, competing only for ranking points. But in the end, it was Valarivan who showed her trademark calm under pressure to turn a modest qualification into a golden triumph.
Tamil Nadu gold medal star lifts India’s tally and hopes
This medal was India’s second senior individual gold of the tournament. Anantjeet Singh Naruka earlier claimed top honours in men’s skeet, while Manu Bhaker secured bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol. With juniors also contributing record-breaking performances, India has firmly topped the medal tally in the continental showcase.
The young trio of Shambhavi Shravan, Hrudya Shri Kondur, and Isha Anil smashed records in the women’s junior 10m air rifle event, shooting a combined 1896.2 to set both an Asian and world junior record. China and South Korea completed the podium behind India’s golden juniors, underlining the country’s growing depth in shooting talent.
For Valarivan, the gold medal reaffirms her position as one of India’s most consistent shooters on the global stage. Currently ranked 11th in the world, she is expected to break back into the top-10 following this win. At one point, she even reached the coveted world number one spot in women’s air rifle, and her return to peak form signals that she is again ready to challenge the very best. Also Read: Blaze Wins 61kg Title With Stunning Performance in Wrestling Championship
Her journey has been defined by discipline and resilience. From her early training days in Tamil Nadu to her rise on the international stage, she has built a reputation for holding her nerve in pressure-packed finals. This latest Tamil Nadu gold medal adds another feather to her decorated career, but she is already looking ahead. The ISSF World Championships later this year and the Asian Games in 2026 remain high on her list, with her eyes firmly set on achieving individual glory at both.
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This victory is also significant for Indian shooting as it demonstrates how senior shooters and juniors are contributing side by side. While Valarivan’s steady composure brought home a senior gold, the younger athletes’ breakthrough world record highlights the strength of India’s shooting pipeline. Together, they underline a future where India could dominate across categories for years to come.
Conclusion
Tamil Nadu gold medal pride shone through as Elavenil Valarivan captured her second Asian Championship crown with a display of skill and composure. From her narrow qualification to her flawless final, she showed why she remains a cornerstone of India’s shooting success. With India’s tally continuing to rise and the juniors creating history, the Shymkent championship is shaping up as a landmark moment for the sport in the country.
