Manu Bhaker Misses Olympic Quota at 2026 ISSF World Championship
Indian shooters struggle as Manu Bhaker finishes fourth in the 25m pistol final.
1Finals Day Disappointment
The 2026 ISSF World Championship in Doha concluded a challenging day for the Indian shooting contingent. Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker finished in fourth place during the women's 25m pistol final. This result meant she narrowly missed both a podium finish and a crucial Olympic quota place for the upcoming games.
2Intense Elimination Format
The 25m pistol final utilizes a rapid-fire series where athletes shoot at five targets within strict time limits. Under current ISSF rules, eight finalists start from zero, with no qualification scores carried over. Eliminations occur after the fourth series, continuing until gold and silver medalists are determined in the tenth series.
3High-Stakes Competition
Olympic champion Yang Jiin secured the gold medal with a world record score of 44. Thu Vinh Trinh claimed silver, while Zhang took bronze. All three podium finishers successfully earned Olympic quota places. The high level of precision required meant that even minor errors led to immediate elimination from the medal contention.
4Bhaker's Near Miss
Manu Bhaker remained in the hunt for a medal until the final stages, surviving multiple shoot-offs against competitors like Yueyue Zhang and Veronika Major. Despite her resilience, she ultimately finished fourth, missing the quota by just two hits. The pressure of the event tested the nerves of all participating world-class shooters.
5Esha Singh's Early Exit
World No. 1 Esha Singh, who held the previous record in this event, faced a difficult start in the final. She managed only a single hit in the first series of five shots. Consequently, she became the first shooter eliminated, finishing in eighth place with a total score of 11 hits.
6Trap Shooting Struggles
Beyond the pistol events, the Indian trap contingent also faced significant difficulties at the Lusail Shooting Complex. Neeru Dhanda, an Asian Games gold medalist, struggled throughout her series, finishing 67th in a field of 77. Pragati Dubey emerged as the best-placed Indian in trap, currently sitting in eighth position after initial rounds.
7Rifle Campaign Continues
While the pistol and trap events provided mixed results, the 50m rifle 3 positions competition remains ongoing. Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar and Akhil Sheoran participated in the elimination rounds, with Aishwary concluding with a 587. The team aims to conclude the rifle campaign on a high note during the upcoming scheduled sessions.
8Olympic Qualification Context
The 2026 ISSF World Championship serves as a critical pathway for securing Olympic quota places for the Los Angeles 2028 Games. India has managed to secure only one quota thus far, increasing the pressure on remaining athletes. Shooters must maintain peak performance to navigate the rigorous qualification and final stages successfully.
Original article: Sportstar — Manu Bhaker Misses Olympic Quota at 2026 ISSF World Championship