'Took loan to buy rifle'; Vinod in tears following Vidarsha's historic silver medal in Asian Games

KOZHIKODE: Tears welled up in Vinod’s eyes, a native of Thiruvambady Kochalunkal house, after hearing the news that his daughter secured an Asian Games silver medal. There were times when Vinod had suggested to his daughter, Vidarsha, to give up her dream following financial difficulties in securing ammunition and other paraphernalia associated with the sport. Yet, moved by her steadfast determination to win a medal for the country, Vinod and his wife, Anitha, decided to take out a loan.

Vidarsha was drawn into shooting during her time in NCC while studying at Guruvayurappan College in 2018. Discovering a natural aptitude for the sport, she started training at the Thondayad Rifle Club in Kozhikode, followed by training at the shooting range in Vattiyoorkavu, Thiruvananthapuram.

Vidarsha won numerous medals using air rifles borrowed from friends and clubs. In 2022, she won her first national medal. She gained admission to the Sports Authority of India's National Centre of Excellence in 2024. Her selection for the Asian Games team came after winning silver medals at both the 2025 National Shooting Championship and the Asian Shooting Championship. She trained under Indian team coach Manoj Kumar. Her brother, Vishnu K. Vinod, is an MBA student. On the 26th, Vidarsha will once again take up her rifle to compete in her favourite event, the 50m Rifle Three Positions, at the Asian Games.

Vidarsha, a native of Kozhikode, is married to Manu S. Ravi, a shooting athlete and coach hailing from Aryanad, Thiruvananthapuram. The couple met during a competition at the Kozhikode Rifle Club in 2021, and their romance blossomed while training at Vattiyoorkavu. With the consent of both their families, they married on May 14, 2025, at the Sree Moolam Club in Thiruvananthapuram. Manu is currently in Nagoya with Vidarsha.