Can Manu Bhaker win any Medal at Asian Games 2026 after 10m Air Pistol Disappointment?

It was a frustrating day for Manu Bhaker at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026, as the Indian shooting star came away without a medal despite making the individual final and helping India remain in contention for a team podium.

Bhaker finished fifth in the Women's 10m Air Pistol individual final, ending with a score of 181.1. She had entered the eight-shooter final in third position after producing 579-20x in qualification, India's only representative to progress from the qualification round.

The final initially looked promising for the Olympic double medallist. Bhaker shot 50.8 in the opening series and moved to 100.3 after two series. However, she was eventually eliminated after the fourth stage, when four shooters remained in contention for the medals. The Indian shooter was disappointed with her elimination, as it was a double blow for her.

Earlier, India had also narrowly missed out on a medal in the 10m Air Pistol team event. Bhaker, Esha Singh and Suruchi Inder Singh finished fourth with 1719-44x, level on total score with Vietnam. Vietnam took bronze with 1719-46x, with the two additional inner-10 hits deciding the medal.

Can Manu Bhaker win any Medal at Asian Games?

However, Bhaker's Asian Games campaign is not over yet.

The 24-year-old is scheduled to compete in the Women's 25m Pistol, with the precision stage on September 27 followed by the rapid stage and final on September 28. Importantly, Bhaker is not part of India's 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team entry; India has listed Kedarling Uchaganve and Suruchi Singh for that event.

Thus, after a disappointing 10m campaign, Bhaker's next opportunity for an Asian Games medal comes in the 25m Pistol.