Asian Games: Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker headlines India's 30-member shooting squad
New Delhi, June 11
The National Rifle Association of India on Thursday revealed their 30-member shooting team for the Asian Games 2026, which will take place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4.
The shooting events will take place from September 17 to October 3, 2026, at the Aichi Prefectural General Shooting Range. Although all chosen athletes met the tough qualification standards set by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MYAS), the final list consists of 30 competitors, 15 men and 15 women, due to the strict dynamic quota limits imposed by the Games' Organising Committee.
After thorough deliberations and a careful event-by-event review, the Committee selected a specific group of athletes who can compete in multiple disciplines. This strategy allows India to maximize participation in all events while keeping strong medal chances in both individual and team events. The approved double starters include Vidarsa K. Vinod, Rudrankksh Balasaheb Patil, Manu Bhaker, and Esha Singh.
The final squad demonstrates a deliberate balance of current form, international results, team makeup, and medal prospects. The Selection Committee, in collaboration with the High Performance team, aimed to maximize India's competitiveness in all shooting disciplines and secure the best possible chance for podium finishes at the Games.
Speaking of the squad selected for the Asian Games, NRAI President Kalikesh Singh Deo said, "Selecting this team was a challenging task given the exceptional depth and quality of talent in Indian shooting today. Given the 30-athlete cap for a programme that accommodates participation across 36 event slots, the Selection Committee undertook a detailed event-wise evaluation to ensure that the final squad provides India with the strongest possible representation and the best opportunity for competitive success across disciplines."
"The final squad reflects the strength, depth, and versatility of Indian shooting. We are confident that this team will represent India with distinction and make the nation proud in Aichi-Nagoya," he added.
India's shooters have maintained strong showings on the international stage in recent months, emphasising the country's increasing prowess in rifle, pistol, and shotgun events. Lately, Indian athletes have achieved multiple podium placements at the recently finished ISSF World Cup. This was exemplified by Esha Singh's gold medal and world-record achievement in the women's 25m pistol at the Munich World Cup. Additionally, Suruchi Singh and Esha secured a notable gold-silver finish in the women's 10m air pistol, demonstrating the depth and consistency of India's shooting program as they prepare for the Asian Games.
The final contingent comprises 12 shotgun shooters and 18 rifle/pistol shooters. I am running a few minutes late; my previous meeting is running over.
Rifle & Pistol Squad
10M Air Rifle Men: Parth Rakesh Mane, Himanshu Dhillon, Rudrankksh Balasaheb Patil
10M Air Rifle Women: Elavenil Valarivan, Sonam Uttam Maskar, Vidarsa K Vinod
50M Rifle 3 Positions Men: Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Niraj Kumar, Rudrankksh Balasaheb Patil
50M Rifle 3 Positions Women: Ashi Chouksey, Vidarsa K Vinod, Tilottama Sen
10M Air Pistol Men: Kedarling B. Uchaganve, Gaurav, Kamaljeet
10M Air Pistol Women: Suruchi, Esha Singh, Manu Bhaker
25M Rapid Fire Pistol Men: Anish
25M Sports Pistol Women: Esha Singh, Manu Bhaker, Rahi Sarnobat
10M Air Rifle Mixed Team: Parth Rakesh Mane, Elavenil Valarivan
10M Air Pistol Mixed Team: Kedarling B. Uchaganve, Suruchi
Shotgun Squad
Trap Men: Kynan Chenai, Ahvar Rizvi, Shapath Bharadwaj
Trap Women: Neeru, Manisha Keer, Aashima Ahlawat
Skeet Men: Anantjeet Singh Naruka, Bhavtegh Singh Gill, Mairaj Ahmad Khan
Skeet Women: Parinaaz Dhaliwal, Raiza Dhillon, Maheshwari Chauhan
— IANS
Reader Comments
Great to see the depth in Indian shooting, especially with young talents like Vidarsa K. Vinod and Rudrankksh Patil. But I worry about the cap—only 30 athletes for 36 events might put pressure on some to perform. Hope the selection was truly merit-based and not influenced by anything else. Respectful criticism, but transparency matters for future competitions.
Esha Singh's gold and world record at the Munich World Cup shows how far we've come in pistol events. And Manu Bhaker is a proven champion. This squad looks strong—15 men and 15 women, a balanced team! Just hope the shotgun shooters step up too. Let's go India! 🎯
Impressive to see Suruchi and Esha's gold-silver finish in 10m air pistol—that consistency is key for the Asian Games. But one thing bothers me: why are there only 30 athletes when we have so much talent? Feels like we're limiting ourselves. Still, proud of our shooters! 💪
As an Indian supporter, I'm thrilled with the squad. Manu Bhaker and Esha Singh double-starting is smart—they're our best bets for medals. The selection committee seems to have done a detailed event-evaluation, which is great. Just hope the shooters stay focused and don't let the pressure get to them. Best of luck! 🙏
This is a dream team! From Elavenil Valarivan in air rifle to Rahi Sarnobat in sports pistol, we have a mix of experience
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.