Vinod Wins Asian Games Silver, Makes Keralam History
Vinod Wins Asian Games Silver, Makes Keralam History
Anonymous
Key Points
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Vinod said she felt little extra pressure from making her Asian Games debut, describing the event as “a normal competition, only different people.” She acknowledged disappointment after two below-par qualification series but said she was “not ready to give up.”
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Her route into elite shooting was difficult: after joining an NCC trial in Kozhikode, Vinod initially trained with borrowed equipment and faced financial constraints before establishing herself internationally.
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Although she primarily trains in Delhi, Vinod continues to practice at the Vattiyoorkavu Shooting Range in Kerala, maintaining a training connection with her home state.
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Vinod said her demanding competition and training schedule has limited time with her husband since their marriage, noting that there were periods when they did not spend even 40 days together; she credited his complete support for helping her succeed.
Vidarsa K. Vinod made history as the first woman from Kerala to win an Asian Games shooting medal, helping India secure silver in the women's 10-meter air-rifle team event. At 27, competing in her Asian Games debut, Vinod placed 12th individually but her qualification score proved crucial as India finished ahead of Japan in a tight team competition alongside Elavenil Valarivan and Sonam Maskar.
From NCC Trial to Asian Games Silver
Vinod's path to elite shooting began unexpectedly in 2018 when she joined an NCC trial in Kozhikode, Kerala. She started with borrowed equipment and faced tight finances, but persevered through training challenges. She turned professional in 2019 and competed internationally before taking on the 10-meter air-rifle event just two months before the Asian Games despite focusing mainly on the 50-meter rifle 3-positions event.
"I felt little extra pressure," Vinod said about her debut at the Games. She called it "a normal competition, only different people." After two disappointing qualification rounds, she nearly quit. But she said, "I was not ready to give up," and her determination paid off with the silver medal.
Training Across States While Supporting Her Family
Vinod trains primarily in Delhi but maintains a connection to her home state by practicing at the Vattiyoorkavu Shooting Range in Kerala. Her demanding schedule—juggling competition dates and training—has limited time with her husband since their marriage. They have gone through periods without seeing each other for more than 40 days, yet her husband's "complete support" has been essential to her success.
Vinod credited her parents, husband, family, and coach for supporting her career. "The medal has increased my confidence," she said, as she prepares for the 50-meter rifle event on September 26. Kerala's government announced cash rewards: 50 lakh rupees for gold, 30 lakh for silver, and 20 lakh for bronze medalists—a boost that recognizes her historic achievement.
A Historic Win for Kerala's Shooting Community
Vinod's silver medal breaks new ground for women shooters from Kerala. Her achievement at age 27, on her first Asian Games appearance, demonstrates that elite shooting talent exists across India's states. Her success may inspire more Kerala-based athletes to pursue shooting at the highest levels.
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