The Indian shooting squad for the 16th Asian Championship in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, from August 16 to 30, has been announced, with double Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker headlining the 35-member team. Bhaker stands out as the only shooter who will be competing in two individual events.
Bhaker's accomplishments include two medals at the Olympic Games, seven medals at the Asian Games and Asian Championships, and 22 medals at the World Championships and World Cups. At the 2024 Olympics, she secured a bronze medal in the 10m air pistol event, becoming the first Indian woman shooter to win a medal at the Olympics. She also won a bronze in the 10m air pistol mixed team event, making her the first Indian to win two medals in a single Olympic Games. Bhaker is also the youngest Indian to win gold medals at the World Cup.
In 2022, at the Asian Games, Bhaker, along with Esha Singh and Rhythm Sangwan, secured a team gold for India in the women's 25m pistol team event. In preparation for the 2024 Olympics, Bhaker reunited with her coach, Jaspal Rana, in 2023. P.T. Usha, the president of the IOC, supported the reinstatement of Rana. To prepare Bhaker for the Olympics, Rana designed a demanding training regimen that simulated the routine of Olympic matches in their daily schedule.
Bhaker's performance at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics earned her two bronze medals. She won her first bronze medal in the women's 10-meter air pistol event, becoming the first female shooter from India to win an Olympic medal. Her next bronze medal came in the mixed 10-meter air pistol team event, where she was partnered with Sarabjot Singh. Since India's independence, she has been the first Indian to win two medals at an Olympics. Bhaker has expressed gratitude to her coach, Jaspal Rana, for his assistance in her double bronze medal-winning performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics. In 2025, she was awarded the Khel Ratna, India's highest sporting honor, for her consistent performance in shooting, making her the youngest Indian shooter to receive the award.
