It was a final decided by nerve, precision and the narrowest of margins. Manu Bhaker came agonisingly close to gold in the women’s 25m pistol event at the Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship 2026, before settling for silver after a dramatic double shoot-off against Vietnam’s Thuy Trang Nguyen at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range.
Adding to India’s medal haul, Esha Singh secured bronze in the same event, marking her second individual medal of the championship. With further podium finishes in the junior category, India’s tally rose to an impressive 60 medals — 37 gold, 13 silver and 10 bronze reinforcing the host nation’s dominance.
A Final Decided by Fine Margins
The senior women’s 25m pistol final unfolded as a gripping three-way contest between Manu Bhaker, Esha Singh and Nguyen. Esha set the tone early, opening with a perfect five in the first series. Manu and Nguyen followed closely with four hits each, ensuring no early separation in what quickly turned into a high-pressure duel.
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Through the middle stages, the medal positions shifted repeatedly. Manu and Esha applied sustained pressure, matching Nguyen shot for shot. However, a flawless five in the sixth series allowed the Vietnamese shooter to edge ahead by two points. The advantage seemed significant in such a tight field.
But the contest was far from over. In the seventh series, Nguyen faltered with just one hit, allowing the Indian pair to close the gap once again. Esha surged ahead after the eighth series, leading the field with 30 hits and appearing poised for a potential gold charge.
Then came the turning point. In the ninth series, Esha suffered a complete miss, failing to register a single hit. The setback pushed her out of gold contention and ultimately left her with bronze. It was a reminder of how unforgiving finals at this level can be. In the decisive final series, Manu delivered three hits while Nguyen managed two, tying both shooters at 35 hits each and forcing a shoot-off to determine the gold medallist.
The first shoot-off reflected the intensity of the contest. Both Manu and Nguyen scored two hits apiece, extending the suspense further. In the second shoot-off, however, Nguyen held her composure while Manu missed three shots, conceding the gold. It was a heartbreaking finish for the Indian ace, who had battled fiercely throughout the final.
Rhythm Sangwan, the third Indian finalist, finished fourth, narrowly missing out on a medal in another closely fought performance.
Junior Brilliance and Team Dominance
The drama continued in the junior women’s 25m pistol final, where Naamya Kapoor delivered under pressure to clinch gold in another tense shoot-off. The youngest Indian to win a World Championship medal, Naamya tied with Indonesia’s Rihadatul Asyifa at 29 hits at the end of regulation. In the shoot-off, Naamya displayed exceptional composure, scoring three hits while her opponent failed to register any. The gold underlined India’s strength in depth at the junior level and the steady pipeline of emerging talent.
Anjali Bhagwat added to the celebrations by claiming bronze in the junior final with 24 hits. Parisha Gupta, who had topped qualification, finished fifth with 14 hits in the final round. Beyond the individual medals, India also secured team gold in both the senior and junior categories, further strengthening their position at the top of the medal table.
For Manu Bhaker, the silver will undoubtedly feel bittersweet. The margin between gold and silver was razor-thin, and the shoot-off defeat highlighted the fine line that separates triumph from disappointment at the highest level. Yet, her performance reinforced her consistency and competitive temperament in high-stakes finals.
Esha Singh’s bronze added another milestone to her growing résumé, confirming her ability to compete at the continental elite level. Meanwhile, the junior shooters’ composure in pressure situations reflects the robustness of India’s shooting ecosystem.
As the championship progresses, India’s shooters continue to deliver medals across categories, showcasing both established champions and rising stars. The women’s 25m pistol final may have ended in heartbreak for Manu, but the broader story remains one of sustained excellence and competitive depth for Indian shooting.
