Archive · 19 Sep 2026
India’s 30-Shooter Squad Targets Asian Games Glory in Nagoya
India is sending 30 shooters to compete at the Asian Games in Nagoya.
The team won 22 shooting medals at the previous Asian Games in Hangzhou.
India hopes to win at least as many medals this time.
Manu Bhaker is one of the team’s biggest stars.
She won two bronze medals at the Paris Olympics.
Esha Singh and Rahi Sarnobat are also important competitors in pistol events.
Elavenil Valarivan and several Olympians will compete in rifle events.
Neeru Dhanda will try to build on her recent World Cup gold medal in trap shooting.
India will field a 30-member shooting squad at the Asian Games in Nagoya.
The team seeks to match or exceed its record 22-medal haul from Hangzhou.
Manu Bhaker, Esha Singh, and Rahi Sarnobat lead India’s women’s pistol challenge.
Elavenil Valarivan, Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, and Rudrankksh Patil headline the rifle squads.
World Cup trap champion Neeru Dhanda strengthens India’s medal hopes in shotgun events.
- Who
- India’s 30-member shooting squad, led by Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker, will compete.
- What
- The squad will contest rifle, pistol, and shotgun shooting events at the Asian Games.
- When
- The shooting competition begins on Sunday; no exact date is specified.
- Where
- The Asian Games are being held in Nagoya.
- Why
- India aims to repeat or improve on its record 22-medal shooting haul from the Hangzhou Asian Games.
- Indian squad size
- 30 shooters
- Previous Asian Games result
- 22 shooting medals at Hangzhou: seven gold, nine silver, and six bronze
- Leading athlete
- Manu Bhaker, a two-time Olympic bronze medallist
- Women’s pistol contenders
- Manu Bhaker, Esha Singh, Suruchi Inder Singh, and Rahi Sarnobat
- Rifle contenders
- Elavenil Valarivan, Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, and Rudrankksh Patil
- Shotgun prospect
- Neeru Dhanda, the first Indian woman to win an individual World Cup gold in trap
- Main international challenge
- China is expected to be India’s biggest challenge