India won two silver medals on the opening day of the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan today. Women shooters bagged both the medals and Elavenil Valarivan played instrumental roles in both the achievements.

India claimed the first medal in womens 10m air rifle team event, featuring Elavenil Valarivan, Sonam Maskar and Vidarsa Vinod. The second silver of the day was secured by Valarivan in womens 10m air rifle individual event.

India made flying start in field hockey with the womens team destroying Uzbekistan 19-0 and the mens side trouncing Indonesia 13-1 in respective league games. Indian womens cricket team set up the gold medal match against Sri Lanka after beating Bangladesh in the semifinals by 114 runs.

India has fielded a 768-member contingent, featuring 501 athletes and 246 support staff and 19 contingent staff. India will compete in 36 sports disciplines. According to the Sports Authority of India (SAI), 11 athletes from Odisha, including seven women, are representing India in this Games.

INDIAN MEDAL WINNERS:

Silver: Elavenil Valarivan, Sonam Maskar, Vidarsa Vinod (Shooting, womens 10m air rifle team) Sept 20.
Silver: Elavenil Valarivan (Shooting, womens 10m air rifle) Sept 20.
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PHOTO: Indian woman shooter Elavenil Valarivan poses with her silver medal at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya on 20 Sept 2026.