Elavenil Valarivan claims a silver double in Japanese training for the Asian Games

Elavenil Valarivan was quick to praise India’s Japanese-style preparation after the rifle shooter helped the country secure two silver medals on the opening day of shooting competition at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on Sunday.

“To replicate the whole Japanese system in India, that was obviously a good thing that the association, the Rifle Association of India, did. We started working on Japanese timing. We ate similar kind of food. We were on the bus in a similar time zone and I think all of that really helped us get into a routine when we were in Nagoya,” Elavenil told India Today in an exclusive interview.

Elavenil helped India secure silver in the team event before adding an individual silver later in the day.

The 2025 World Championships bronze medalist finished with 252.4 points in the individual final, just 0.6 behind Taichi, who won gold with an Asian Games record 253.0.

India’s shooting campaign started on a high note with Elavenil starring in a double silver in the women’s 10m air rifle event.

The Indian Shooting Association worked to replicate aspects of the Japanese system in India ahead of the Games, with shooters adjusting their schedules, eating habits and travel timings to reflect what they will experience in Nagoya.

Elavenil felt that the preparation helped the team settle in quickly once they arrived in Japan.

The individual silver added another major international medal to Elavenil’s career, while her contribution in the team event ensured India started their shooting campaign with two medals.

With the competition still in its early stages, Indian shooters will look to build on their strong start in the remaining events at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.