New Delhi [India], August 4 (ANI): Former World No. 1 and certainly one of India’s most completed air rifle shooters, Elavenil Valarivan, mirrored on her exceptional journey from discovering taking pictures by probability to overcoming career-threatening accidents.
The 26-year-old, who just lately participated within the 2026 ISSF World Cup in Hangzhou, credited consistency, household help and an unwavering love for the game as she continues her pursuit of excellence on the worldwide stage.
A key member of the Indian taking pictures contingent, Elavenil has represented the nation on the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and has established herself among the many world’s greatest within the ladies’s 10m Air Rifle occasion.
Her illustrious profession consists of gold medals on the ISSF World Cup, ISSF World Cup Final, ISSF Junior World Cup and a number of Asian Shooting Championships, making her certainly one of India’s most adorned rifle shooters.
Reflecting on the place all of it started, Elavenil shared that taking pictures was by no means a part of her household’s background, however her dad and mom at all times inspired her to pursue sport from an early age.
‘It was due to my household that I began taking pictures. We didn’t have any athletes within the household, however we had been at all times pro-sports. I had tried athletics, judo, badminton, handball, kabaddi and plenty of different sports activities earlier than taking pictures occurred virtually by coincidence. Looking again, I by no means realised when it reworked from one thing I loved into knowledgeable profession.’
Having risen to the top of world taking pictures, Elavenil additionally recalled the societal stereotypes she encountered as a younger woman pursuing the game, ‘I do bear in mind being requested, ‘Why is a lady roaming round with weapons in her hand?’ But for me, what mattered was what my dad and mom thought and what I believed about myself and my sport. Criticism will at all times exist, however I by no means allowed it to outline my journey.’
The 26-year-old revealed that a few of her largest battles got here away from competitors, significantly throughout extended spells of damage that examined her bodily and mentally.
‘In 2017, I developed a critical knee difficulty, and there was a time after I could not even stand by way of 5 photographs with out taking a break. Later, in 2022, I suffered a again damage with disc bulges in my cervical and lumbar backbone. There had been moments after I genuinely puzzled whether or not I might be capable of proceed within the sport,’ she recalled
‘What helped me recuperate was merely displaying up each single day. Even if I may solely practice for an hour earlier than heading for rehabilitation, I wished to stay related to the game. I like taking pictures, and that love saved me going by way of the hardest part of my profession,’ she additional added.
Elavenil additionally acknowledged the position performed by the Gagan Narang Sports Promotion Foundation and Gun for Glory academy in her progress as an athlete, highlighting the long-standing mentorship and steering she has acquired all through her profession.
‘I got here involved with the Gun for Glory academy in 2014 by way of a Gujarat authorities initiative. Since then, I’ve labored intently with my coach Neha Chavan, whereas Gagan Narang has been a continuing mentor. Together, we have centered on bettering each side of my sporting profession,’ she famous.
Speaking about her present preparations for the upcoming Asian Games, Elavenil emphasised the significance of specializing in the method as an alternative of outcomes, ‘I’m not wanting too far forward. My coach and I are specializing in bettering each small side of my recreation, someday at a time. We have plans for the season forward, however the precedence is to maintain getting higher each single day.’
Currently coaching beneath coach Neha Chavan with the mentorship of Olympic bronze medallist Gagan Narang on the Gun for Glory academy, Elavenil is targeted on making the nation proud on upcoming worldwide phases. (ANI)