Manu Bhaker Misses Podium in World Cup

Munich : Indian shooting sensation Manu Bhaker faced disappointment at the ISSF World Cup in Munich as she failed to secure a medal in the 25m pistol final. Despite high expectations and a strong qualifying round performance, Bhaker finished sixth in the final, missing out on what could have been a golden opportunity. This comes as a surprise for fans, especially considering her decorated Olympic background where she secured two bronze medals.

Bhaker entered the final as one of the top contenders after a combined score of 588 in the qualification stage, where she scored 290 in the precision round and an impressive 298 in the rapid-fire round. However, when it mattered most, she couldn’t maintain her form and was unable to break into the top five in the final, which featured eight top shooters from around the world.

Alongside her, experienced shooter Chain Singh also reached the final in the men’s 50m rifle 3 positions event. Singh displayed consistency during the qualification rounds and secured a place among the top eight. However, he ended up in seventh position during the medal round, also failing to bring home a medal for India.

This marks a medal-less day for the Indian shooting contingent at the ongoing World Cup. Earlier in the tournament, Elavenil Valarivan had secured a bronze medal in the women’s 10m air rifle event, giving India a hopeful start. Unfortunately, Bhaker and Singh’s performances in their respective finals didn’t meet the high expectations set by their previous showings and qualifications.

The ISSF World Cup is seen as an important platform ahead of the Paris Olympics, and strong performances here are crucial for momentum and confidence. Bhaker’s early exit from podium contention raises concerns about consistency under pressure, although her qualification numbers prove that her core skill and ability remain strong.

As the tournament progresses, the Indian shooting team will look to bounce back and add more medals to their tally. For now, the spotlight remains on how Bhaker and other experienced shooters will regroup and refine their strategies ahead of the bigger stages.