Manu Bhaker Misses Medal at Asian Games 2026, Finishes Fifth in 10m Air Pistol

Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker missed out on a medal at the Asian Games 2026 after finishing fifth in the women’s 10m air pistol final in Aichi-Nagoya on Wednesday.

Bhaker entered the final with high hopes after qualifying third with a score of 579-20x. She made a strong start to the final and remained in medal contention during the early stages.

However, she could not maintain her position as the elimination rounds progressed.

Manu Bhaker Finishes Fifth in 10m Air Pistol Final

Bhaker eventually exited the competition after her 18th shot, finishing with 181.1 points.

South Korea’s Choo Gaeun won the gold medal with an Asian Games record score of 246.3. China’s Shen Yiyao claimed the silver medal, while Jiang Ranxin secured bronze.

The result ended Bhaker’s hopes of adding another Asian Games medal in the women’s 10m air pistol event.

India Narrowly Misses Bronze in Women’s 10m Air Pistol Team Event

The disappointment had started earlier in the day when India’s women’s 10m air pistol team narrowly missed out on the bronze medal.

Bhaker, along with Esha Singh and Suruchi Inder Singh, finished fourth after tying with Vietnam on points. However, India lost the medal on inner-10s, leaving the team just outside the podium.

The fourth-place finish added to a difficult day for Bhaker in the 10m air pistol events.

Manu Bhaker Has Another Medal Opportunity

Despite the setback, Manu Bhaker still has another opportunity at the Asian Games 2026.

The double Olympic medallist will compete in the women’s 25m pistol event, giving her another chance to fight for a medal at the Games.

With another event still ahead, Bhaker will look to put the disappointment of the 10m air pistol final behind her and return to competition in the 25m pistol event.

Manu Bhaker’s Asian Games Campaign Continues

The 10m air pistol events have now concluded for Bhaker, but her campaign at the Asian Games is not over. The shooter will turn her attention to the women’s 25m pistol event, which provides another opportunity to compete for a medal at the Games.

Bhaker comes into the event as a double Olympic medallist, having won bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol and the mixed 10m air pistol team event at the Paris Olympics. Her focus will now shift to the 25m pistol competition as she looks to continue her Asian Games campaign.

Content: Shruti Prabhune, Rishi Agre
Photo Editing: Niti Ladha
Idea: Ronak Rane