NEW DELHI: Indian shooter Manu Bhaker admitted she had “mixed feelings” after winning bronze in the women’s 25m pistol event at the ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun in Hangzhou, China. While pleased with her progress, the Olympic medallist said she believes she can perform even better.“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,” Bhaker wrote on X.She added, “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.”Bhaker also thanked those who have supported her, 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 shines in women’s 25m pistol
India enjoyed a memorable outing in the event as Esha Singh won gold, while Bhaker took bronze to complete a double podium finish. Esha dominated the final with 40 hits, while Bhaker survived a crucial shoot-off before finishing with 28 hits to secure third place.The pair had already impressed in qualification, with Bhaker topping the standings with 586-20x and Esha finishing second with 585-18x to qualify comfortably for the final. Rahi Sarnobat, Simranpreet Kaur Brar and Abhidnya Ashok Patil also delivered solid performances.The gold medal marked another major milestone for 21-year-old Esha Singh. Earlier this season, she set both the senior and junior world records with 43 hits in the final at the ISSF World Cup in Munich. Meanwhile, Bhaker’s bronze further highlighted her consistency after becoming the first athlete from independent India to win two medals at a single Olympic Games in Paris 2024.
