India’s obsession with gold seems to turn out in a good way, as athlete’s have been bringing not just gold but pride, back home to our nation. In a way, in between a male dominated scenario, women seem to be raising the flag, high up in the air, and it is not limited to a single sport. And to add to this phenomenon, Elavanil Valarivan stunned the spectators with her acute shooting skills to grab the ISSF World Cup title.
The gold medal in the 10m air rifle shooting category, resulted in the final held in Rio, on Wednesday, and was confirmed by her mentor, Gagan Narang on National Sports Day, on 29th August. Gagan Narang is one of the mentors she looks up to, who is an Olympic and Commonwealth medallist in his golden days. Elavanil Valerian's powerhouse performance, combined mostly of 10.2 and 10.8, out of the 24 shots, finishing with the ultimate score of 251.7.
#NationalSportsDay gets sweeter. @elavalarivan wins her first senior World Cup🥇on the day GNSPF’s efforts are recognised through the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar! Thanking the universe! @narendramodi @KirenRijiju @Media_SAI @RaninderSingh @OfficialNRAI pic.twitter.com/tw1Yv1X3bT
— Gagan Narang (@gaGunNarang) August 28, 2019
Her Gold medal came after, the two Gold medals achieved by in women’s 10m air rifle category in the World Cup, by Anjali Bhagwat and Apurvi Chandela, with India registering it’s 3rd gold medal in women’s 10m air-rifle event. Since there are only two spots in the Olympics for India, Elavenil missed the Olympic berth, just by an inch, despite an important showdown. The Silver medal was claimed by Great Britain’s Seonaid Mclontosh with a score 250.6, closing on to Valarivan; and the Bronze medal obtained by Ling with a final score of 229.9.
However, Tokyo 2020 exclusion has not slowed her down, as the Gold medal around her neck, is worth the proof of her valuable stay. Apurvi Chandela and Anjum Moudgil has booked the two 2020 Olympic berths.
