Neck pillows, no phones: How India shooters won two Asian Games silvers

India's female shooters faced an unexpected obstacle before competing at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games - a lengthy bus ride over mountainous terrain. The route from Nagoya to the Aichi Prefectural General Shooting Gallery in Toyota City necessitated a near two-hour journey, much longer than initially estimated. The demanding drive led to neck stiffness and motion sickness among the athletes, prompting Indian coaches to provide neck pillows and advise against using phone screens, which could exacerbate these issues.

Some competitors opted for sleep during the lengthy trip, while others consumed light food. Their meticulous preparations proved successful, as Elavenil Valarivan, Sonam Maskar, and Vidarsh Vinod earned silver medals in the women's 10m air rifle team event. China claimed gold, while Japan secured bronze. Elavenil later won another silver in the individual competition, finishing just 0.6 points behind Japan's Taichi Hinata, who set an Asian Games record with 253.0 points.

These two silvers provided a strong start for India at the 2026 Asian Games, showcasing how even minor logistical considerations can significantly impact performance in a sport demanding precision and mental fortitude.