Close Finish as Japan’s Hinata Taichi Takes Gold Over India

NAGANO, September 20 — Hinata Taichi of Japan clinched the gold medal in the women’s 10‑metre air‑rifle final at the Asian Games, posting a record‑setting 253.0 points. India’s Elavenil Valliarivan finished just behind with 252.4 points, earning silver.

The final unfolded with Elavenil establishing an early lead, scoring 53.1 after the first five shots. She retained her position through most of the elimination stage, but Taichi’s consistent high‑scoring rounds kept the competition tight.

In the shooting’s final two attempts, Taichi edged ahead by a narrow margin. After Elavenil’s 10.4, Taichi replied with a 10.6, then sealed the victory with a 10.2 compared to Elavenil’s 10.1 in the last shot.

Taichi’s performance set a new Asian Games record, while Elavenil’s silver marks India’s second medal of the day, underscoring the nation’s rising stature in international shooting.