Asian Games 2026: Parth Mane and Elavenil Valarivan Qualify for 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team Final

India secured another shooting final berth at the Asian Games 2026 after Parth Mane and Elavenil Valarivan produced a strong qualification performance in the 10m air rifle mixed team event.

The Indian duo finished second in qualification with a combined score of 634.6, placing themselves among the four teams that advanced to the medal round. China topped the qualification standings with a new World Record of 638.9, while Korea and Vietnam completed the final lineup.

The mixed team final is scheduled for 8:25 AM IST, giving India another opportunity to add to its growing medal tally in shooting at the Aichi-Nagoya Games.

Elavenil Valarivan was particularly impressive across her three series. The Indian shooter produced scores of 105.8, 106.8 and 106.7, finishing with an individual total of 319.3.

Her consistency provided an important foundation for India's overall score and kept the pair firmly in contention for one of the four qualification places. Parth Mane contributed 315.3 to the combined total, taking India's final qualification score to 634.6.

The pair's combined performance was enough to secure second place, with India finishing behind only the Chinese combination.

China sets new World Record

China's Sheng Lihao and Wang Zifei produced the standout qualification performance. The Chinese pair combined for 638.9, establishing a new Qualification World Record in the 10m air rifle mixed team event.

Their score also surpassed the Asian Games qualification record, underlining the level of performance produced by the Chinese team. China therefore enters the final as the highest-ranked team from qualification, while India will begin the medal round from second position. The gap between the two teams was 4.3 points, meaning India will have ground to make up in the final if they are to challenge for the gold medal.

Korea finished third in qualification with 633.2, just 1.4 points behind India. The fourth and final qualification position went to Vietnam, which recorded 631.7.

Vietnam edged out Japan for the last spot in the medal round. Japan finished with 631.4, meaning the difference between the two teams was only 0.3 points. The narrow margin highlights just how competitive the qualification battle was. With only the top four teams advancing, every point carried significant importance during the 60-shot qualification round.

India ultimately had enough of a cushion to avoid the uncertainty surrounding the fourth qualification position.

The qualification of Mane and Valarivan adds another final appearance for India in a shooting competition at the Asian Games. India's shooting contingent has already enjoyed success at Aichi-Nagoya, including medals in the men's 10m air rifle team and individual competitions.

For Mane, the mixed team final provides another opportunity after his participation in the men's 10m air rifle competition. Valarivan, meanwhile, brings considerable experience at the international level and will be looking to convert her strong qualification performance into a medal. The mixed team format requires both shooters to maintain consistency under pressure, with the combined score determining the qualification positions and the final outcome.

Final presents a fresh opportunity

While qualification rankings provide an indication of the teams' performances, the medal round will offer a fresh contest. India's 634.6 was comfortably enough to secure second place, but China demonstrated exceptional form with its world-record 638.9. Korea will also be within striking distance after finishing only 1.4 points behind India, while Vietnam arrives in the final after narrowly edging Japan.

For India, the objective will be to reproduce the consistency displayed during qualification while looking for further improvement in the final. Elavenil's 319.3 and Parth's 315.3 have already placed the pair among the leading combinations in the competition. The final now provides an opportunity to turn that qualification performance into an Asian Games medal.

The 10m air rifle mixed team final is scheduled for 8:25 AM IST. India will enter the medal round from second place, behind the Chinese world-record holders and ahead of Korea and Vietnam. With four teams remaining, the margins are expected to be tight and every shot could influence the final standings.

For Parth Mane and Elavenil Valarivan, the task is now simple: build on a strong qualification round and produce their best possible performance when the medals are decided.

India has another shooting final. The opportunity for another Asian Games medal now awaits.