Asian Games 2026: Manu Bhaker ends campaign without medal
Olympic star Manu Bhaker ends her Asian Games 2026 campaign without a medal despite high expectations in pistol events.
In a massive upset at the ongoing Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, India's double Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker has concluded her competition without securing a single medal. Despite being one of the most anticipated stars of the games, the Paris Olympics sensation failed to find her rhythm across all four events she entered.
Disappointment in Pistol Events
Manu Bhaker participated in the women's 25m pistol and 10m air pistol, competing in both individual and team categories. However, the star shooter was unable to replicate the form that saw her reach the podium in Paris.
Her campaign faced a significant setback in the 25m pistol team event. The Indian trio, consisting of Esha Singh, Manu Bhaker, and Rahi Sarnobat, finished in fifth place with a total score of 1727-56x. The gold medal was claimed by China (1743-68x), followed by South Korea with silver and Chinese Taipei with bronze.
Individual Struggles and Qualification Rounds
The individual events proved equally challenging for the Indian shooters:
- 25m Pistol Individual: Manu Bhaker finished 11th in the qualification round with a score of 579-18x, missing out on the top-eight final. Esha Singh finished 8th in the final with 580-22x, while Rahi Sarnobat placed 30th.
- 10m Air Pistol Individual: Manu Bhaker finished 5th in the qualification round with 181.1 points, narrowly missing the final. Esha Singh finished 16th, and Suruchi Singh placed 26th.
- Team Events: The Indian team narrowly missed out on a podium finish in the team category, ending in fourth place.
A Season of High Expectations
Manu Bhaker entered these games as a major medal hope for India, following her historic success at the Paris Olympics. Her recent form leading up to the Asian Games had been exceptional, including:
- A bronze medal at the ISSF World Cup 2026 in Hangzhou.
- A silver medal in the 10m air pistol mixed team event at the ISSF World Cup 2026 in Munich.
- An individual silver medal at the Asian Shooting Championships held in India.
Despite the individual disappointment for Bhaker, shooting remains a powerhouse for the Indian contingent, contributing significantly to the nation's tally with 11 medals so far, including one gold, six silver, and four bronze.