Malayali shooter Vidarsha K Vinod scripts history, bags silver in Asian Games

TOKYO: Vidarsha K Vinod, a Malayali from Thiruvambady in Kozhikode, has scripted history in the Asian Games. Vidarsha became the first Malayali to win a medal in shooting. She won a silver medal as part of a three-member team in the 10m air rifle team event. With this achievement, Vidarsha also became the first Malayali woman to win a shooting medal in the Asian Games.

Vidarsha said she was extremely happy to have achieved this historic feat at her very first Asian Games. She said she has been married for one and a half years and, due to her busy training schedule, there were times when she could not spend even 40 days with her husband. She added that her husband had given her complete support. Vidarsha also said that the incentives announced by the state government for medal winners even before the Asian Games had a significant impact on the athletes during the competitions.

The athlete added that the strong support she received from her parents, brother and coach, in addition to her husband, played a major role in her medal-winning performance. She said winning the silver medal in the 10m air rifle has given her great confidence for the upcoming competitions. Her main event, the 50m rifle 3-position competition, will be held on September 26. She is hopeful of giving a strong performance in that event as well.

Vidarsha entered the field of shooting through NCC in 2018. She chose shooting as a profession in 2019. Although she presently undergoes her primary training in Delhi, she also continues to train at the Vattiyoorkavu Shooting Range in Kerala.