Elavenil Valarivan Wins Bronze in Competitive Cairo Air Rifle Event

Elavenil Valarivan, a 26-year-old Indian shooter, secured a bronze medal in the women’s 10m air rifle event at the World Championships in Cairo. Valarivan achieved an impressive score of 633.4 in the qualification round, finishing fifth and qualifying for the final despite initial uncertainty about her progression.

During the final, Valarivan displayed remarkable composure, scoring 232 over 22 shots. This performance was complemented by several high scores, including five shots of 10.6, four of 10.7, two of 10.8, and one of 10.9. The gold medal was claimed by South Korea’s Hyojin Ban, the reigning champion from the Paris Games, who finished with a score of 255. China’s Zifei Wang took home the silver with a total of 254.

Valarivan expressed her relief and satisfaction following her victory, stating, “It wasn’t an easy match at all. I knew I shot well in the qualification round, but the way others were shooting around me made me a bit skeptical of my progression. I had to ask my coach if I had qualified.” This bronze marks Valarivan’s first medal at the World Championships, highlighting her resilience and skill on an international stage.

In the qualification round, Valarivan’s teammates did not fare as well. Meghana Sajjanar scored 631.2 and placed 17th, while Shreya Agrawal finished 33rd with a score of 628.7.

The men’s 10m air rifle event saw Arjun Babuta reach the finals but ultimately fall short of medalling. Babuta qualified in seventh place with a score of 632.5. Despite a strong start, he struggled in the final, hitting a low of 9.7 on his 11th shot, which hindered his chances of climbing the ranks. He finished in fifth place overall.

Another Indian competitor, Rudrankksh Patil, a previous gold medalist in the same event, ended up in 13th place with a score of 631.4. Debutant Vishal Singh finished 61st with a score of 627.1, marking his first appearance at the World Championships.

In a separate event, Ravinder Singh claimed gold in the men’s 50m pistol category, scoring 569. Unlike other events, the 50m pistol does not require a final, as medals are awarded based solely on qualification scores. Singh, who previously won bronze medals at the 2023 World Championships in Baku, continues to establish his presence in the shooting sports world.

As the championships progress, the performances of these athletes contribute to India’s growing reputation in competitive shooting. The event in Cairo serves as a significant platform for shooters aiming for success ahead of future competitions.