In an elite set of final eight shooters, who all decided to shoot lights out in Cairo on the first day of the shooting World Championships, India’s Elavenil Valarivan first chased, then led, and finally tapered off for a bronze medal in a steely showing, typical of the shooter born in Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu. Elavenil, who has consistently shown the temperament to be a part of the national 10m Air rifle team, especially in a domestic setup teeming with some of the best in the world, was missing that one big medal until now. However, if her 2025 season were viewed as a whole, this was a medal that was a near certainty – even in a sport such as shooting.

Elavenil has been India’s best rifle shooter in 2025. She won a bronze medal at the Munich World Cup – where some of the best shooters in he

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