The 16th Asian Shooting Championship in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, delivered another moment of pride for Indian shooting. On Day 9, India’s Anish Bhanwala produced one of his finest performances on the continental stage, clinching silver in the men’s 25m Rapid Fire Pistol final.
His score of 35/40 showcased both precision and nerves of steel, marking a significant upgrade from the bronze medal he won at the 2023 Asian Championships in Changwon. With this achievement, Anish not only underlined his steady growth as one of India’s leading pistol shooters but also played a pivotal role in securing a team silver medal for India alongside compatriots Adarsh Singh and Neeraj Kumar.
The 25m Rapid Fire Pistol event is one of shooting’s most demanding formats. It requires competitors to fire a series of shots at five targets within a matter of seconds, testing reflexes, concentration, and consistency. The final in Shymkent brought together the best from Asia, featuring names who have dominated world shooting over the last decade.
- Gold went to China’s Su Lianbofan, who shot with extraordinary consistency to stay just ahead of the field.
- Silver was claimed by Anish Bhanwala of India, who pushed the Chinese champion till the final stages.
- Bronze went to South Korea’s Lee Jaekyoon, completing a high-quality podium.
For Anish, the silver came after a gripping final where he held his composure under immense pressure. At one stage, he was right in contention for gold, with his final tally of 35 hits just a whisker away from the top spot.
From Changwon Bronze to Shymkent Silver
The story of Anish’s rise in the Asian circuit is one of persistence and progress. At the 2023 edition of the championships in Changwon, he had to settle for bronze. While that result was a career highlight then, he left knowing there was room to climb higher. Fast forward a year, and his silver medal in Shymkent is not just an improvement in color but also in performance quality. The 25-year-old shooter displayed remarkable rhythm in the rapid-fire stages, registering high scores in both the qualification rounds and the final.
“Clutch, clutch, clutch from Anish,” was the sentiment echoed by observers as he kept nailing shot after shot in the final. His ability to stay calm, especially in the closing stages when medal pressure can overwhelm even the best, is a sign of maturity and readiness for bigger stages.
Individual brilliance was complemented by a strong team performance in the 25m Rapid Fire Pistol event. Together with Adarsh Singh and Neeraj Kumar, Anish contributed to India’s team silver medal. Adarsh Singh, known for his consistent rapid-fire stage scores, supported Anish well, while Neeraj added crucial points to ensure India stayed ahead of tough challengers for the team podium. The Chinese team, led by Su Lianbofan, proved too strong, but the Indian trio can take immense pride in their collective achievement. This team medal also highlights India’s growing depth in pistol shooting. For years, India has been renowned for air pistol and rifle events.
The emergence of a strong rapid-fire pistol team points to the federation’s broader developmental efforts and the rise of multi-event competitiveness.
Anish Bhanwala: A Steady Ascent
Anish’s journey has been marked by determination. From his early days as a prodigious junior shooter to now becoming one of India’s mainstays in rapid-fire pistol, his progress has been steady and significant.
- He first broke into prominence at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, where as a teenager he won gold in the 25m Rapid Fire Pistol, becoming the youngest Indian shooter to do so at the Games.
- Since then, he has battled the challenge of transitioning from junior promise to senior-level consistency, a hurdle that many shooters face but few clear.
- The medals at successive Asian Championships, particularly the upgrade from bronze to silver, reflect that he is beginning to bridge that gap.
His technical improvements, combined with increased exposure to international competitions, have helped him raise his game. More importantly, he has developed the mental resilience required to perform in the pressure cooker environment of finals.
The Asian Shooting Championship is not just another continental event. It is often considered one of the toughest competitions outside the World Cup and World Championships, given the dominance of Asian shooters globally. China, Korea, and India regularly produce Olympic and world champions in shooting, making the continental field as competitive as any. For Anish to finish ahead of seasoned names and push the Chinese champion right till the end shows the narrowing gap between India and Asia’s best.
The silver medal is also a confidence booster as India prepares for upcoming World Cups and the cycle leading to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. India’s shooters have been in the spotlight globally for the past decade, particularly in rifle and pistol events. While names like Abhinav Bindra, Manu Bhaker, Saurabh Chaudhary, and Rudrankksh Patil have dominated headlines, the rapid-fire pistol discipline has often operated outside the limelight.
Anish’s medal, along with the team silver, signals that India is now building serious strength in this event too. With multiple names delivering promising scores Adarsh Singh included the pipeline looks healthy. This diversification of success across disciplines can only strengthen India’s overall medal chances at major global events.
For Anish, the silver medal is both a reward and a challenge. It proves he has the skill to compete with Asia’s best but also sets the bar higher. Gold is within touching distance, and with refinement in consistency, particularly in high-pressure moments, it is only a matter of time before he stands atop the podium. The Indian team, meanwhile, can take confidence from Shymkent. The collective performance across rifle, pistol, and shotgun events shows India’s shooters are in strong form, with medals being spread across disciplines. For the federation, it validates the investment in depth and training infrastructure.
Day 9 of the 16th Asian Shooting Championship in Shymkent will be remembered as a milestone in Anish Bhanwala’s career. His silver medal in the men’s 25m Rapid Fire Pistol final was not just about precision shooting but also about growth, maturity, and belief. From a bronze in 2023 to silver in 2024, his trajectory is clear an upward climb towards global excellence. As the dust settles in Shymkent, India can look at Anish’s performance as both a proud achievement and a sign of what lies ahead. With a young, confident shooter leading the charge in a traditionally tough event, Indian shooting has yet another reason to believe its golden era is far from over.
Medal Winners – 25m Rapid Fire Pistol Men, Day 9
🥇 Su Lianbofan (China)
🥈 Anish Bhanwala (India)
🥉 Lee Jaekyoon (Korea)
India also took home team silver, courtesy of Anish, Adarsh Singh, and Neeraj Kumar an achievement that further cements the nation’s growing stature in the sport.
