Manu Bhaker Seeks Marginal Gains with New Pistol Ahead of Asian Championship
Following the high of winning two bronze medals at the Paris Olympics, Indian pistol shooter Manu Bhaker is focused on making a fresh start after what she describes as a "low-key" 2025. With major events like the Asian Games, World Championships, and Los Angeles 2028 Olympics qualifiers on the horizon, Bhaker is leaving no stone unturned in her quest for that extra edge.
The Pursuit of Precision: A Trip to Italy for a New Weapon
In her search for marginal improvements, Bhaker recently traveled to the workshop of Italian pistol-makers Pardini to test their latest model. "I try to do everything that can even help for a little bit in my sport," she explains. "Even if that's like one percent, I will just go right ahead." This move comes after past pistol-related heartbreaks, including a weapon malfunction during the 2019 World Cup and a broken cocking lever at the Tokyo Olympics, which disrupted her rhythm.
The new pistol, according to Bhaker, offers better precision and balance. "The company claims that they are better in terms of precision and balance," she says. "So, I went ahead and gave it a shot. The balance has definitely improved." However, she is quick to emphasize that the skill ultimately lies with the shooter, dismissing any notion that technology overshadows talent. "How we work, how we think about a competition, the approach to a competition and the execution, it remains the same," she asserts. "It's on us how we shoot. The results depend on us, not on the pistol."
Reflecting on 2025 and Looking Ahead to 2026
2025 was a year of mixed results for Bhaker, with a bronze at the Asian Championship being the highlight. "2025 was again a year of full circle. A few very good matches. I was in decent form in many of the matches. However, podium finishes were comparatively fewer in 2025," she reflects. "So, hoping that would change soon."
The 2026 season kicks off with the Asian Shooting Championship starting on February 2 in Mumbai. Although the withdrawal of heavyweights like China may have dimmed the competition's sheen, Bhaker acknowledges that winning a medal will be far from easy due to India's deep bench strength in women's pistol events.
Healthy Competition in Indian Shooting
India boasts a strong contingent in women's pistol, with three Indians in the world's top 10 for the 10m air pistol event: Suruchi Phogat, Esha Singh, and Manu Bhaker. In the 25m pistol event, both Esha Singh and Bhaker are among the top 10. This internal competition, Bhaker says, keeps her from becoming complacent. "It's a very good thing to have healthy competition. And it's a good environment to have the national camps and to train with them," she notes. "But then, I am my own competition."
As she prepares for the Asian Championship and beyond, Bhaker's focus remains on leveraging every possible advantage, whether through equipment upgrades or mental fortitude, to aim high in the coming years.
