New Delhi, 20 September (H.S.): President Droupadi Murmu, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and several other leaders on Sunday congratulated the Indian women shooters who won the country’s first medal at the 2026 Asian Games.

Elavenil Valarivan, Sonam Uttam Maskar and Vidarsha K. Vinod secured the silver medal in the women’s 10-metre air rifle team event, opening India’s medal account at the Games.

President Murmu congratulated the three shooters in a post on X, praising their achievement and saying that their success had opened India’s medal tally at the Asian Games and brought honour to the country. She also wished them continued success in their future competitions.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla also congratulated the athletes. He said the achievement would become even more significant if Elavenil Valarivan added another silver medal in the women’s 10-metre air rifle individual event. He described her performance as a reflection of consistent displays, composure and world-class precision on the international stage.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the performance of the Indian women’s team had made the country proud and added another memorable chapter to India’s sporting journey.

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah also congratulated Elavenil Valarivan, Sonam Uttam Maskar and Vidarsha K. Vinod for winning the silver medal in the women’s 10-metre air rifle team event. He extended his best wishes to the shooters for their upcoming competitions.

The Indian trio secured the country’s first medal of the 2026 Asian Games on Sunday by finishing second in the women’s 10-metre air rifle team competition.

The silver marked India’s opening medal at the Games and placed the three shooters among the country’s early medal winners in the 2026 Asian Games.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar