Day 2 Report Asian Shooting Championship 2025, Manu Bhaker Clinches Bronze
The second day of the 16th Asian Shooting Championship 2025 in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, brought a mix of early nerves, hard-fought comebacks, and golden finishes for the Indian contingent. It was a day that once again highlighted India’s growing depth in both pistol and skeet shooting, with medals at the junior and senior levels ensuring that the tricolour remained firmly visible on the podium throughout.
The day began with high anticipation as India’s Manu Bhaker, the 2019 Asian champion, led the country’s challenge in the 10m Air Pistol Women qualification. Alongside her were Suruchi Singh and Palak Gulia, two shooters carrying strong domestic form into this continental stage.
The start, however, was far from ideal. Suruchi managed only 45/50 in her opening series, Palak stood at 28/30, while Manu had a 29/30 but was unable to convert it into momentum. By the 10:10am mark, the scoreboard showed Suruchi with a shaky 94, Palak at 65/70, and Manu trailing at 86/90.
The Chinese shooters, on the other hand, stamped their authority early, with Qianxun Yao registering a perfect 100/100 in her fourth series. Iran’s Haniyeh Rostamiyan, the silver medallist from the 2023 edition, also produced a flawless start, immediately placing herself as a medal contender.
Despite the initial stumble, Manu clawed her way back with a brilliant sequence 70/70 midway through qualification lifting her to 4th. Palak too steadied with 94 and 97 in consecutive series, but consistency remained elusive. By the halfway stage, Suruchi’s repeated 96s kept her hovering outside the top 15, while Manu consolidated a top-8 position with scores of 96, 97, and another 96.
The decisive moment came in the sixth and final series. Manu, showing trademark composure, closed with a perfect 100/100, guaranteeing herself a place in the Finals. Palak, however, faltered badly with a 92, finishing 17th, while Suruchi ended at 574-20x, outside the cut. India’s team total of 1730-52x was just a point shy of silver, handing them bronze behind South Korea.
Finals Manu Battles to Bronze
At 12:30pm, the much-awaited Women’s 10m Air Pistol Final began, featuring three Chinese, two Koreans, an Iranian, a Kazakh, and Manu representing India. From the start, it was evident that China’s teenage prodigy Qianke Ma was in imperious form. Manu began steadily with 50.3 after five shots, placing herself 5th. She then produced back-to-back 10.6s, climbing to 4th, and another 10.5 pushed her into the top three. By the mid-stages, she was trading places with Korea’s Yang Jiin, keeping alive hopes of silver.
But the intensity of finals often turns on a single shot. At 1:05pm, when Manu needed a 10.4 to stay in silver contention, she delivered an untimely 8.7, sliding to third. She eventually closed with 220.0+ points to secure bronze, India’s first individual medal at this year’s championships.
The podium reflected Asia’s present and future in women’s pistol shooting:
- 🥇 Ma Qianke (CHN) – 243.2
- 🥈 Yang Jiin (KOR)
- 🥉 Manu Bhaker (IND)
For Manu, the bronze marked another significant international medal, consolidating her reputation as one of India’s most reliable performers.
Skeet : Mixed Fortunes for India
While the spotlight was on pistol, the skeet qualification rounds continued through the morning and afternoon. In Men’s Skeet, Anantjeet Naruka began brilliantly, firing consecutive 25/25 perfect series, ending Day 1 on 73/75. His consistency placed him among the frontrunners. In contrast, Bhavtegh Gill and Abhay Sekhon struggled to match the pace, both scoring 68/75 to sit outside the top 20. Still, Bhavtegh’s remarkable recovery a flawless 25/25 in the third series kept faint hopes alive.
The Women’s Skeet saw three Indians in action. Raiza Dhillon opened spectacularly with a 25/25, but slipped in the second round with 20. Ganemat Sekhon, steady as ever, managed 24 and 22 in her opening two, while Maheshwari Chauhan rebounded strongly after a poor first round of 21, hitting 24/25 in the second and later producing a perfect 25/25. By the close of play, Maheshwari sat 5th with 70/75, Ganemat was 7th with 68/75, and Raiza 10th with 66/75.
Afternoon Glory Junior and Youth Stars Shine
If the morning was about resilience and recovery, the afternoon belonged to India’s junior and youth shooters, who carried forward the medal momentum.
In the Junior Women’s 10m Air Pistol, it was all India. Six of the 23 participants hailed from India, and they dominated the field. Rashmika Sahgal topped qualification with a commanding 582-23x, followed closely by Vanshika (573-12x) and Urva (572-15x). Although Lakshita (572-13x), Shikha (568-17x), and Mohini (565-15x) also finished inside the top nine, the three-per-country rule meant only Rashmika, Vanshika, and Urva progressed.
The final, however, was a showcase of Rashmika’s composure. She fired 241.9 to clinch gold, comfortably ahead of South Korea’s Seunghyun Han and Yejin Kim. The Indian dominance was underlined in the team event, where Rashmika, Vanshika, and Mohini combined for another team gold, ensuring a clean sweep.
Not long after, at 3:00pm, the Youth Men’s 10m Air Pistol qualifiers produced more good news. Agam Grewal led the charge with 577-14x, while Kanak (566-18x) and Gamberya (558-13x) also booked places in the final. In the final at 4:30pm, Kanak produced a nerveless performance, scoring 238.2 to take gold, while Agam added the silver with 236.0. Iran’s Parimah took bronze, but the result ensured another double podium for India.
Summary: India’s Strong Day
By the end of Day 2, India’s tally had grown significantly across categories:
- Individual medals: Manu Bhaker (Bronze, Women 10m Air Pistol), Rashmika Sahgal (Gold, Junior Women 10m Air Pistol), Kanak (Gold, Youth Men 10m Air Pistol), Agam Grewal (Silver, Youth Men 10m Air Pistol).
- Team medal: Junior Women’s 10m Air Pistol (Gold – Rashmika, Vanshika, Mohini).
In addition, strong qualification positions in skeet kept India in contention for more medals in the days ahead, particularly with Anantjeet and Maheshwari looking competitive.
Day 2 at the Asian Shooting Championship was a microcosm of India’s shooting story moments of pressure, flashes of brilliance, and the promise of youth shining brightly. Manu Bhaker’s bronze provided the senior highlight, but it was Rashmika, Kanak, and Agam who truly underlined the depth of India’s next generation. With several events still to come, India’s shooters have set the tone for another memorable championship campaign.
