Manu Bhaker Reflects on Bronze Medal Win at ISSF World Cup

Indian shooter Manu Bhaker expressed mixed emotions after winning a bronze medal at the ISSF World Cup in Hangzhou, China. While she celebrated her performance, she acknowledged the need for further improvement. Bhaker credited her family and team for their support and expressed gratitude to her fans. Alongside her, Esha Singh secured gold, marking a double podium finish for India in the Women's 25m Pistol event. This article delves into their achievements and the promising future of Indian shooting.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 29, 2026, 08:43 IST

Mixed Emotions for Manu Bhaker

Indian shooting star Manu Bhaker shared her thoughts after clinching a bronze medal at the ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun held in Hangzhou, China. While she expressed joy over her performance reflecting her dedication, she acknowledged that there is still potential for further improvement. In a post on X, she stated, "Another bronze. I have mixed feelings about this one. I'm happy that I was able to improve my performance, but at the same time, I know I could have done better."

Gratitude for Support

The Olympic medalist highlighted the significance of her progress and credited her family and team for their unwavering support. "What makes me happy is seeing that the hard work is showing. There's still plenty of room for improvement, and that's what keeps me motivated. One step at a time," she remarked. She also expressed her heartfelt thanks to her supporters, saying, "Major thanks to my team, my family, and each one of you for the unwavering love and support; it means the world to me."

India's Double Podium Finish

In a remarkable display, Indian shooters Esha Singh and Manu Bhaker achieved a double podium finish in the Women's 25m Pistol event at the ISSF World Cup, securing gold and bronze medals, respectively. This accomplishment further solidifies India's impressive performance at the event.

Dominance in Qualification

Esha Singh showcased her skills by scoring 40 hits in the final to clinch the gold medal, while Bhaker, a double Olympic medalist from Paris 2024, navigated a competitive field, winning a crucial shoot-off to finish with 28 hits for the bronze. According to a press release from the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), the Indian team set a strong precedent during the qualification round, with Bhaker leading with an impressive score of 586-20x, followed closely by Esha Singh at 585-18x. Other competitors included former Asian Games Gold Medalist Rahi Sarnobat with 582-16x, Simranpreet Kaur Brar at 576-20x, and Abhidnya Ashok Patil with 573-16x.

Continued Excellence from Indian Shooters

The gold medal marks another significant milestone for 21-year-old Esha Singh from Hyderabad, who previously made headlines at the ISSF World Cup in Munich by setting both senior and junior world records with 43 hits in the final. As a Paris 2024 Olympian and Arjuna Awardee, Esha is establishing herself among the elite in the sport. For Manu Bhaker, the bronze medal reinforces her consistent performance on the international stage, following her historic achievement at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where she became the first athlete from independent India to win two medals in a single edition of the Games.