Locked, loaded and ready: India’s shooting stars head to Japan

ByTech Word News

Shooting has become one of the cornerstones of India’s Asian Games campaign and expectations will once again be high when the sport takes off in Aichi-Nagoya.

India produced a record 22 medals in shooting at the Hangzhou 2023 Asian Games, including seven gold, nine silver and six bronze. The 30-man squad heading to Japan has enough experience and depth across rifle, pistol and shotgun to take on another serious challenge.

The team is led by two-time Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker, former world champion Rudrankksh Patil and Esha Singh, with established names like Elavenil Valarivan, Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Anish Bhanwala and Rahi Sarnobat adding further experience.

China will again be a major force, but India’s recent performances have given the team reason to believe they can challenge for medals across disciplines. However, the competition remains relentless, and podiums are often decided by the smallest differences.

MANU LEADS THE CHARGE

Manu Bhaker is the obvious headline act.

The two-time Olympic medalist will compete in the 10m air pistol and 25m pistol, giving India two major individual medal opportunities. He is also part of a mixed team.

The Asian Games also offers Bhaker a chance to add to the individual medal that has so far eluded her. She has already won two Olympic bronzes and a medal from the World Championships, but she is missing an individual place on the podium of the Asian Games in her collection.

Alongside her, Esha Singh will compete in the 10m air pistol and 25m pistol. Esha is one of India’s most consistent pistol shooters and will be among the names expected to challenge for medals.

Veteran Rahi Sarnobat completes a strong women’s 25m pistol line-up, giving India considerable experience in the event.

Rifle firepower

The Indian rifle challenge has plenty of pedigree.

Rudrankksh Patil, a former world champion, will compete in the men’s 10m air rifle and 50m 3 positions. Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar and Niraj Kumar joined him in the 50m 3P event.

In the women’s 10m air rifle, Elavenil Valarivan, Sonam Maskar and Vidarsa K Vinod will carry the Indian challenge. Elavenil’s international experience makes it one of the key names to watch.

The 10m air rifle mixed team competition will also provide another medal opportunity, with Parth Mane and Elavenil forming the Indian pair.

With the absence of some familiar names from Hangzhou, India’s rifle depth will be especially important. Paris Olympic medalist Swapnil Kusale is not part of the squad but backed the selected shooters adding that their selection itself reflects the level they have reached through competitions and trials.

JASPAL WOUND VOID

The Asian Games will be India’s first big assignment without Jaspal Rana, whose death in June left a significant void in the country’s pistol setup.

Rana was a decorated shooter himself, winning an Asian Games gold before taking up coaching. He later played a major role in Manu Bhaker’s career, guiding her to both of her bronze medals at the Paris Olympics.

His absence will inevitably focus on Bhaker, but former shooter and coach Vijay Kumar believes he has enough international experience and mental strength to handle the situation.

“It is very unfortunate. He was a good mentor and coach and not everyone has that quality,” Vijay said, adding that Rana’s absence should not necessarily affect India’s medal tally.

“We want Manu to perform well, but if her performance is not up to par, everyone will take the angle that her coach is not there. But she has played in so many international competitions and is so mentally strong… she should accept the situation and move on.”

So for Bhaker, the games will carry an additional emotional dimension. She was also one of the Indian flag bearers at the opening ceremony during which she said she misses Rana a lot.

ONBOARD FORCE

India’s challenge is not limited to the rifle and the pistol.

In shotgun, Anantjeet Singh Naruka, Mairaj Ahmad Khan, Kynan Chenai, Maheshwari Chauhan, Manisha Keer and Neeru Dhanda are among the names to watch.

Naruka and Mairaj headline the men’s skeet challenge, while Maheshwari leads the women’s group. Meanwhile, Kynan brings experience to the men’s trap event.

Shotgun events also include mixed team events, creating more opportunities for India to add to its medal tally.

INDIA’S ASSIST GAMES 2026 SHOOTING PROGRAM

  • September 20: Women’s 10m Air Rifle Individual and Team Qualification; Women’s 10m Air Rifle Individual Final.
  • September 21: Men’s 10m Air Rifle Individual and Team Qualification; Men’s 10m Air Rifle Individual Final; Men’s Skeet, Qualification; Women’s skeet, qualification.
  • September 22: mixed 10m air rifle team, qualifications and medals; Men’s Skeet, Qualification; Women’s skeet, qualification.
  • September 23: Women’s 10m Air Pistol Individual and Team Qualification; Air Pistol Women’s 10m Individual Final; Men’s Skeet, Qualification and Final; Women’s skeet, qualification and final.
  • September 24: Men’s 10m Air Pistol Individual and Team Qualification; Air Pistol Men’s 10m Individual Final; Men’s 50m rifle 3 positions, elimination; Mixed team skeet, qualification and medal rounds.
  • September 25: Mixed 10m air pistol team, qualifications and medals; Rifle 50m men 3 positions individuals and teams, qualification; Men’s 50m rifle 3 position individual finals.
  • September 26: Women’s 50m rifle 3 positions individuals and teams, qualification; Women’s 50m Rifle 3 Position Individuals Final.
  • September 27: Women’s 25m Pistol, Accuracy Stage; Men’s Trap Qualification; Women’s trap, qualification.
  • September 28: Women’s 25m Pistol, Rapid Stage and Final; Men’s Trap Qualification; Women’s trap, qualification.
  • September 29: Men’s Trap, qualifiers and finals; Women’s trap, qualification and final.
  • October 1: Men’s 25m Rapid Fire Pistol Qualifying Phase 2 and Final.

– The end

Issued by:

Amar Panicker

Published on:

19 Sep 2026 22:32 IST