Sonam Maskars Silver Medal Triumph at Asian Games Reflects Familys Resilience

Kolhapur, September 20 (Daily Kiran) : Sonam Maskar secured a silver medal in the women's 10-meter air rifle team event at the 2026 Asian Games, held on Sunday. Her family is overjoyed by this remarkable achievement. Sonam's journey to success has been marked by hard work amid financial struggles after her father's business faced setbacks during the pandemic.The Indian team excelled in the competition, scoring a total of 1898.0 points to clinch the silver medal. Sonam contributed significantly with a score of 634.1, placing third in the qualification round. Her teammates, Elavenil Valarivan and Vidharsan Kochalumkal Vinod, scored 633.5 and 630.4 points, respectively. Behind Sonam's success lies a story of perseverance and sacrifice. The Maskar family had relocated to Mumbai for better business opportunities.However, the COVID-19 pandemic forced them to return to their village in Kolhapur, leading to significant economic difficulties. They had to sell a tanker used for their livelihood and faced further hardships in the following years, necessitating the sale of another tanker. To ensure that their children’s education and Sonam's expensive shooting equipment were not compromised, the family sold their 10.5 guntas of land and a shop in Gadhinglaj. Despite enduring years of financial strain, Sonam's parents never wavered in their support for their children's dreams.Her father, Uttam Maskar, shared, “My daughter chose rifle shooting in the 11th grade. It’s an expensive sport, but she discussed it with her mother. Within two months, she competed at the state level and developed a keen interest. I made it clear that she could continue only after her 12th-grade exams. When my business collapsed during the lockdown, we had to return to the village. After the lockdown, Sonam strengthened her skills at the Ved Academy in Kolhapur under the guidance of Radhika Madam and Rohit Sir, leading to her selection in the NCOE, and now she is in Delhi.” Her mother, Suman, expressed immense pride in Sonam's achievement, noting the emotional toll of being away from family for training.“She practices for 5-6 hours, standing with a heavy rifle and gear. If her scores aren’t satisfactory, she returns for more practice in the evenings,” she said. Sonam's sister, Mansi, celebrated her sister's success, stating, “We are proud of her. Winning a silver medal at the Asian Games is commendable given her struggles and hard work. Sometimes, lifting the heavy rifle causes her shoulder pain, but I believe she will win a gold medal for our country at the Olympics.” Sonam's brother added that their conversations are brief due to her busy schedule, but they always revolve around her goal of winning an Olympic gold medal for India.With her family's sacrifices in mind, Sonam aimed accurately on the field, bringing home India's first medal from the Games. Following this historic success, she has set her sights on the future, declaring, “My main goal is to win a gold medal for India at the 2028 Olympic Games, and I am preparing diligently for it.” Sonam's victory has not only validated her family's struggles but has also become a source of pride for Kolhapur and Maharashtra.