Kazakhstan witnessed yet another milestone in Manu Bhaker’s career as the Paris Olympics bronze medallist secured the bronze medal in the women’s 10m air pistol final at the 16th Asian Shooting Championships.
This marks her first individual medal for India at the ongoing edition of the continental event and her 10th career medal at the Asian Championships. Manu, who qualified strongly for the final with a score of 583—the third-best among all shooters—showed consistency in the early stages of the medal round. She remained in contention for the top-two positions right until the final stretch. However, the climax proved to be heartbreaking.
On her 22nd shot, Manu needed at least a 10.4 to climb into the silver medal spot. Instead, she fired an 8.7, which pushed her down to third place with a final tally of 219.7. The miss was costly, but it did not take away from the grit and composure she displayed throughout the competition. The gold medal went to Qianke Ma, the 17-year-old rising Chinese star, who impressed with her poise and accuracy to top the field.
Silver was claimed by Yang Jiin, the reigning Olympic champion in the 25m pistol event, further underscoring the strength of the Chinese shooting contingent.
Team Event Success
It wasn’t just Manu shining for India. The women’s 10m air pistol team, comprising Manu Bhaker, Suruchi, and another teammate, also brought home a bronze medal with a combined score of 1730-52x. While Manu’s 583 was the standout performance in qualifying, Suruchi managed 574, which was below her usual standards. Analysts noted that such dips in form are bound to happen and, importantly, it came before the upcoming World Championships a bigger stage where consistency will matter most.
Despite individual ups and downs, the team managed to hold its nerve and ensure India stood on the podium once again.
This medal is Manu’s third podium in the 10m air pistol event at the Asian Championships, reaffirming her status as one of the most dependable names in Indian shooting. More significantly, it comes at a time when she has been under intense scrutiny, with critics questioning her form following fluctuating results earlier this season. By clinching bronze, Manu has delivered a strong message to her detractors reminding the shooting fraternity of her proven pedigree and mental toughness.
Her achievement also means that India now has its first individual medal in the ongoing Asian Championships, a boost for the squad’s morale.
Looking Ahead
Manu’s campaign is far from over in Kazakhstan. She is also slated to feature in the 25m women’s pistol event, where she is a proven performer on the international stage. With the confidence of this medal behind her, she will be eager to challenge for top honours again. Meanwhile, fellow Indian shooters Esha Singh and Surbhi registered scores of 577 and 570 respectively in the rapid-fire pistol qualification, but they fell short of the finals cut. Their performances, however, provide valuable lessons in the build-up to future competitions.
The Asian Championships once again highlighted the dominance of Chinese shooters. In addition to Qianke Ma’s individual gold and Yang Jiin’s silver, China’s women’s 10m air pistol team broke the world record en route to winning gold. Such performances underline the scale of the challenge Indian shooters face on the continental stage. Yet, Manu’s podium finish against such formidable opposition is proof of India’s growing competitiveness in precision pistol shooting.
Though the color of the medal may not have been what Manu was aiming for, the bronze holds significant value. It is a reminder of her resilience under pressure, her ability to rise from setbacks, and her enduring role as the face of Indian women’s pistol shooting. From her 2019 Asian gold, to her Olympic bronze in Paris, and now her 10th medal at the Asian Championships, Manu’s journey continues to inspire a generation of young Indian shooters.
For Indian shooting fans, this result is both a celebration and a reassurance that despite fierce competition and occasional setbacks, Manu Bhaker remains a true medal contender at every stage she enters.
Final Standings – Women’s 10m Air Pistol (16th ASC 2025)
🥇 Qianke Ma (China) – Gold
🥈 Yang Jiin (China) – Silver
🥉 Manu Bhaker (India) – Bronze (219.7)
With more events to come, all eyes will be on Manu as she prepares for her next challenge in the 25m pistol, carrying the hopes of Indian shooting yet again.
