Asian Games 2026: India finishes 5th in women's 25m pistol team event
India finishes 5th in women's 25m pistol team event as Manu Bhaker misses the individual final. Pincky Balhara secures Kurash medal.
The Indian shooting contingent faced a mix of heartbreak and triumph at the ongoing Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. In a challenging outing for the pistol squad, the Indian women's team finished in fifth place during the 25m pistol team final on Monday.
The trio consisting of Esha Singh, Manu Bhaker, and Rahi Sarnobat recorded a total score of 1727-56x. Despite their efforts, they could not break into the medal bracket, as China claimed the gold with 1743-68x. South Korea took home the silver (1735-65x), while Chinese Taipei secured the bronze (1734-48x).
Heartbreak for Manu Bhaker in Individual Event
While the team performance was competitive, the individual stage proved difficult for India's star shooters. Two-time Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker missed out on a chance to compete in the individual 25m pistol final after finishing 11th in the qualification round with a score of 579-18x. Only the top eight shooters progress to the final stage.
Esha Singh managed to secure a spot in the individual final, eventually finishing in eighth place with a score of 580-22x. Meanwhile, Rahi Sarnobat concluded her campaign in 30th position, scoring 568-16x.
Pincky Balhara Secures Kurash Medal
In a major boost for Indian combat sports, Pincky Balhara has guaranteed a medal for the nation in Kurash. Competing in the women's 78 kg category, Balhara delivered a dominant performance in the quarterfinals, defeating South Korea's Lim Garam with a convincing 3-0 scoreline.
By reaching the semifinals, Balhara has secured India's third-ever medal in Kurash at the Asian Games. This marks a significant comeback for the athlete, who previously won silver at the 2018 Asian Games but faced an early exit in the 2022 Hangzhou edition.
Archery Drama: Ganesh Mani Ratnam Edges Out Teammate
The archery arena saw an intense all-Indian showdown in the men's compound individual round of 16. Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru emerged victorious in a nail-biting contest against compatriot Sahil Jadhav, winning by a narrow margin of 149-148.
- Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru: Progresses to the quarterfinals; faces Chen Chieh-lun of Chinese Taipei on October 1.
- Sahil Jadhav: Eliminated after a strong run that included a victory over Mongolia's Jamiyangombo Purevdorj.
With this result, Ganesh stands as the lone Indian remaining in the men's individual compound draw. This follows a stellar performance by the Indian archery contingent, where all five teams—including the recurve and compound categories—successfully advanced to the semifinals in the team events.
Other Sporting Updates
The action continues across multiple disciplines as India looks to expand its medal tally:
- Cricket: The defending champions, India's men's cricket team, face Afghanistan in a crucial quarterfinal match today.
- Surfing: Sivaraj Babu's run in the men's shortboard surfing ended after a loss to the Philippines' Alciso Jayuard.
- Athletics: Several Indian athletes are eyeing podium finishes, including Avinash Sable (3000m steeplechase), Murali Sreeshankar (long jump), Yash Vir Singh and Rohit Yadav (javelin throw), and Gulveer Singh (1500m).