Manu Bhaker Reflects on Satisfactory Silver Medal Performance at Asian Championships
Indian shooter Manu Bhaker expressed satisfaction with her performance after securing a silver medal in the women's individual 25m pistol event at the Asian Rifle and Pistol Championship in New Delhi on Monday. This achievement marked a significant comeback for the double Olympic medallist, who had finished a disappointing seventh in her preferred 10m air pistol event on the opening day of the competition.
A Hard-Fought Battle for Gold
Bhaker found herself in contention for the gold medal until the very last shot, ultimately losing to Vietnam's Thuy Trang Nguyen in a dramatic double shoot-off. Both athletes finished the regular 45-shot final tied at 35 points each. The first shoot-off ended in a 2-2 deadlock, but in the second round, Nguyen hit three of five targets while Bhaker managed two, securing the Vietnamese shooter the top spot on the podium.
This silver medal represents Bhaker's first individual medal in the 25m event at the Asian Championships, adding another milestone to her impressive career. Meanwhile, her compatriot Esha Singh, who had earlier clinched gold in the 10m air pistol event, won bronze in the 25m pistol competition. The third Indian competitor, Rhythm Sangwan, finished fourth, completing a strong showing for the Indian contingent.
Team Success and Individual Reflection
The Indian trio of Bhaker, Singh, and Sangwan also combined to win the team gold medal in the women's 25m pistol event, with Chinese Taipei and Vietnam claiming silver and bronze respectively in the team competition.
Following her performance, a thoughtful Bhaker acknowledged areas for improvement while maintaining a positive outlook on her current form. "It was an interesting final — quite up and down from the start," she remarked. "Performance-wise, it was satisfactory, but more importantly, we learned what we need to work on, what we can improve, and what we need to maintain. That's the focus now."
Strategic Planning for Future Competitions
Bhaker revealed she has taken detailed notes from the competition and plans to discuss them with her coach Jaspal Rana to address weaknesses in her game. "I've taken notes and I'll discuss with my coach Jaspal sir how we can improve in areas where we're weak," she explained. "Hopefully, I'll be able to address that going forward."
The shooter described her current performance level as moderate, with plans to peak later in the year when major events like the Asian Games and World Championships are scheduled. "Right now I'm keeping things a little moderate," she said. "I wouldn't say this is my peak, but I also wouldn't say that I'm not working hard. I'd say I'm somewhere in between. I'm trying to maintain the pace and hopefully build it up gradually towards the end of the year."
Healthy Competition and Mental Resilience
Bhaker praised the quality of competition she faced, particularly highlighting the strong performance of her Indian teammates. "The competition has been really good, especially among the girls and particularly the Indians," she noted. "The team has been performing very well and that creates a positive kind of competitiveness within the team. It's nice to have that — we keep each other on our toes."
The shooter also demonstrated mental resilience by putting aside her disappointing seventh-place finish in the 10m air pistol event. "I've always shot both events. My first competition in both events was back in 2017 or 2018," she explained. "I've always had that balance, so I don't really feel affected if one match goes well or badly. It doesn't bother me much because I know there's another match coming."
Technical Adjustments and Future Focus
Bhaker identified specific technical aspects that require attention, particularly noting that her grip pressure changed during the mid-series in the final. "That's something we need to improve," she acknowledged, indicating a focused approach to refining her technique for upcoming competitions.
As she looks ahead to major events later in the year, Bhaker's silver medal performance at the Asian Championships serves as both a confidence boost and a valuable learning experience. Her balanced approach to competition and commitment to continuous improvement suggest she remains a formidable contender on the international shooting circuit.
