Asian Games | Shooting star Vidarsa aiming for higher accolades

Indian rifle shooter Vidarsa K. Vinod speaks to the media about her participation in the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026, in Nagoya on September 20, 2026. | Photo Credit: ANI There is a lot that Keralam is known for, including sports. Shooting, though, isn’t one of them.For Vidarsa K. Vinod, however, that made little difference in her pursuit of a sport that has now made her perhaps the second most famous shooter in the State.On Sunday, after finishing 12th in the individual competition of the 10m air rifle at the Asian Games and winning a team silver, Vidarsa had no regrets.“I am satisfied. My main event is 50m 3P and I am confident of that. There is no nervousness or doubts... although I will start training for it only from tomorrow [Monday],” Vidarsa told The Hindu at the range.For someone who started 10m air rifle only to improve her standing posture in the 50m, it is understandable, given her rapid growth in the discipline.“I was actually not even expecting to participate in both events. My first competition (in 10m) was in 2025, where I scored my personal best, which is when I realised I can do both. There are multiple shooters worldwide doing both, so I thought I could too,” she shrugged.Having begun shooting only in 2018 as an NCC cadet in college, the fact that there was no pistol there was reason enough for her to pick up and, later on, stick to rifle.The rise through the ranks, even with little competition, was swift, first within the State and then at the National level. The Asian Games, however, was a different ball game.“After I got to know I had a chance to be selected for the Asian Games, I was preparing mentally and physically. There was some pressure and the last selection trial was a little difficult for everyone. It took me almost eight years to achieve this and the journey was very difficult. There was a lot of struggle, self-doubt, failure, and I kept asking myself whether I was on the right path and if I was doing the right thing. The Asian Games selection was the moment I realised I was doing the right thing... so it means a lot,” she had admitted in an exclusive interaction earlier in Bhopal.On Sunday, however, she declared that there wasn’t much difference with any other international competition. “The experience has been good but I had a lot of expectations, Asian Games is a big event but I didn’t feel anything different, it’s just the name of the tournament that makes it special. The way I managed match pressure, it felt like a normal competition.”Her first outing at the Games may not have been as rewarding as she would have liked but Vidarsa is ready for the long haul. “Coming from a village where people have a limited vision and ambition, I have always wanted more. I am not ready to give up in the face of failures,” she promised. Published - September 20, 2026 07:05 pm IST