Manu Bhaker showed her determination and skill at the Asian Shooting Championships, winning a silver medal in the 25m pistol event with her new weapon. After a tough finish in the 10m air pistol, the young shooter bounced back with fresh confidence, handling pressure and a dramatic shoot-off to secure the podium finish for India.
Moving On Quickly After 10m Air Pistol Result
Many athletes struggle after a tough finish, but Manu chose a different path. She looked at the bigger picture and stayed focused on what came next.
“I think about the bigger picture now. That event is in the past. I focused on the 25m pistol,” Manu said after the final.
Over the years, she has learned how to move on faster from setbacks. That mental strength played a key role in her silver medal win.
Tense Final Ends in Dramatic Shoot-Off
Manu entered the final after a strong qualification round, where she scored 584. However, the medal round tested her patience and control. Vietnam’s Thuy Trang Nguyen pushed her all the way, forcing the final into a thrilling shoot-off—twice.
Both shooters finished tied at 35 points. In the second shoot-off, Manu missed three targets, which handed Nguyen the gold and left Manu with silver. Even so, the contest highlighted Manu’s fighting spirit and consistency under pressure.
Steady Recovery After a Slow Start
The final did not start in Manu’s favour. Early on, Nguyen and Indian shooter Esha led the scoreboard. Still, Manu stayed calm and waited for her moment.
Then came the turning point. In the ninth elimination series, Esha missed five shots. As a result, Manu climbed into the silver medal position and stayed there till the end.
“I had some problems at the start. The grip pressure changed during the series,” Manu explained. “But it improved. I kept calming myself throughout the final.”
A Big Step Forward in the 25m Event
This silver medal holds special value in Manu Bhaker shooting news. Although she has won several medals in the 10m air pistol event, the 25m pistol final has often challenged her.
For the first time in her career, Manu won an individual silver medal in the 25m pistol. Earlier, she had claimed bronze medals at the ISSF World Cups in 2021 and 2023. She also faced disappointment in this event at the Paris Olympics.
“I feel my finals performance has improved over the years,” Manu said. “Today’s result shows some improvement.”
Balancing Two Events With Experience
Manu has competed in both 10m and 25m pistol events since 2018. Because of that experience, she does not let one result affect the other.
“A loss or a gold in one event does not help in the other,” she said. “I always keep the balance.”
This mindset allows her to approach every competition with a fresh outlook.
New Pistol Brings Fresh Confidence
In the past, technical issues affected Manu’s performances. At the Tokyo Olympics, a pistol malfunction during qualification disrupted her campaign. Determined to improve, she visited Italian pistol-makers Pardini last year to find a better weapon.
She continues to adjust to the new pistol but already feels the difference.
“The recoil feels better, and the accuracy has changed,” Manu said.
Focus Shifts to Asian Games and Olympics
The road ahead looks busy for Indian shooters. The Asian Games approach, while qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics begins on July 31.
“We need to plan carefully with my coach,” Manu said. “The Asian Games is definitely an important competition for us.”
With this silver medal, Manu Bhaker has shown growth, confidence, and clarity. Her performance at the Asian Shooting Championships signals a strong phase ahead—for both her and Indian shooting.
