Bhaker returns empty-handed as India’s shooting campaign falls short of Hangzhou
Indian shooter Manu Bhaker concluded her 2026 Asian Games campaign in Aichi-Nagoya without a medal, despite high expectations following her Olympic success. While Esha Singh secured a silver in the 25m pistol, the overall Indian shooting contingent has struggled to replicate the medal haul from the previous games.
Why it matters
The performance highlights the volatility of elite sports and the challenges Indian athletes face in maintaining momentum after major international events like the Olympics.
NEW DELHI: Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker will return from the Asian Games 2026 without a medal after competing in four events in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan — an unexpected outcome for one of India’s biggest medal hopes and another indication of the shooting contingent’s struggles to match its record haul from the previous edition.India had won 22 shooting medals, including seven gold, at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023. In Aichi-Nagoya, the Indian shooters have so far managed 12 medals, with only one gold, with just five trap medal events remaining in the competition.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in