Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker will spearhead India’s 35-member contingent at the upcoming 16th Asian Shooting Championships, set to take place in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, from August 16 to 30.
Bhaker, showcasing her versatility, is the only Indian shooter selected for two individual events—10m air pistol and 25m pistol—in a squad comprising the country’s elite sharpshooters. The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) revealed the list on Monday, underlining India’s deep talent pool across all shooting disciplines.
Joining Bhaker in the senior squad are world champion Rudrankksh Patil (men’s air rifle), Olympians Anjum Moudgil (women’s 50m rifle 3 positions), Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar (men’s 50m rifle 3 positions), Saurabh Chaudhary (men’s 10m air pistol), and Kynan Chenai (men’s trap), among other prominent marksmen and women.
Additionally, rising stars such as Esha Singh (25m pistol), Mehuli Ghosh, and Kiran Ankush Jadhav (both air rifle) have secured slots in both the senior and junior squads, signalling India’s future readiness on the global stage.
Alongside the Asian meet, squads for the ISSF Junior World Cup (to be held in India) and the Junior Asian Championships were also disclosed. Meanwhile, the senior ISSF World Cup team set to compete in Ningbo, China from September 7–15 has been finalized, featuring Olympic bronze medallist Swapnil Kusale and veteran Rahi Sarnobat.
As anticipation builds, India’s seasoned and young shooters alike aim to make their mark across multiple events, including 15 individual and mixed-team competitions.
