Manu Bhaker Claims Silver in 25m Pistol at Asian Shooting Championships
Indian sports shooter Manu Bhaker demonstrated remarkable resilience by securing a silver medal in the 25m pistol final at the Asian Shooting Championships in New Delhi. This achievement comes just five days after she placed seventh in the 10m air pistol event, highlighting her ability to bounce back under pressure.
A Tight Final and Shoot-Off Drama
Bhaker faced a challenging final against Vietnam's Thuy Trang Nguyen, which extended into two intense shoot-offs. After qualifying with a strong score of 584, she tied with Nguyen at 35 points in the final round. However, in the second shootout, Bhaker missed three targets, ultimately settling for the silver medal.
Reflecting on her performance, Bhaker stated, "I think now I think about the bigger picture more. This is in the past now. Let me focus on the next thing at hand. And for me, at that time, it was the 25m event." She emphasized her growth, adding, "I feel that after so many lessons, I am able to move on rather quickly. I will never win everything, but at the same time, I will never lose everything as well. But as long as I'm working hard, I will try to keep giving my best."
Overcoming Early Struggles in the Final
Bhaker started the final slowly, with Esha Singh and Nguyen leading the competition. However, a turning point occurred in the ninth elimination series when Esha missed five shots, allowing Bhaker to climb into the silver medal position. Discussing her initial challenges, Bhaker explained, "I had a little problem in the beginning, and the grip pressure also changed in between the series. But it got better. I was trying to calm myself down throughout the final."
Significant Improvement in Finals Performance
This silver medal marks Bhaker's first individual silver in the 25m pistol event, a discipline where she has historically faced difficulties, including at the Paris Olympics. Previously, she had won two bronze medals at the 2021 and 2023 ISSF World Cups. Bhaker acknowledged her progress, saying, "I think my performance in finals have improved over the years. Today's performance can be called a little improvement." She plans to review her performance with her coach to identify areas for further enhancement.
Balancing Disciplines and New Equipment
When asked about managing both the 10m and 25m events, Bhaker noted, "I have been shooting in both disciplines since 2018. I always have the balance, and the results of one discipline doesn't impact the other one. A loss or a gold in one event is not going to help me on the other one." She has also been adjusting to a new pistol from Italian manufacturer Pardini, which she acquired last year to address past equipment issues, such as the cocking lever breakage at the Tokyo Olympics. Bhaker commented on the new gun, "I am picking it up for now. I have played a couple of trials and this competition with the new gun. While I won't get into much technicalities, the recoil of the new gun is better, and there is also a difference in the accuracy."
Looking Ahead to Key Competitions
With 2026 being a crucial year for Indian shooters, including the Asian Games and the start of qualification for the 2028 LA Olympics on July 31st, Bhaker is focused on strategic planning. She stated, "Yes, the qualification cycle is starting, and I need to sit down with my coach to plan. We will plan how to manage my peak and which competitions we need to push harder for. For now, the Asian Games is definitely an important competition for us."
