Shooting
Asian Games 2026: Can Manu Bhaker and co. challenge China's dominance in Shooting?
All you need to know about the Shooting Programme at the 2026 Asian Games.
Manu Bhaker is the first Indian woman shooter ever to medal at the Olympic Games. (Photo credit: The Hindu)
Indian shooters have long been one of the country’s strongest bets for global and continental medals, and they once again enter the Asian Games with high expectations.
After securing 22 medals at Hangzhou 2022, the Indian shooting contingent will aim to improve on that tally in Aichi-Nagoya, with the shooting programme set to begin on Sunday.
India has sent a 30-member team to Japan, competing across 27 medal events, led by two-time Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker, former world champion Rudrankksh Patil and in-form Esha Singh.
Can India surpass China on medal Tally?
China remains the most dominant force in shooting, having topped the sport's medal tally at the last 12 Asian Games, and will once again enter as clear favourites.
At the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, India pushed them hard for the top spot but in the end fell short by seven medals, largely due to fewer individual titles.
While China claimed eight individual golds, India managed only two through Palak Gulia (10m Air Pistol) and Sift Kaur Samra (50m Rifle 3 Positions).
This time, with in-form shooters such as Esha Singh, Manu Bhaker and Suruchi, India will target more individual titles and challenge the Chinese team for the top spot.
Indian shooters will once again look to secure multiple medals across rifle and pistol events, though the shotgun discipline could prove decisive in the battle between the two sides.
The recent success of trap shooter Neeru has boosted confidence within the Indian camp. Earlier this year in Lonato, she became India’s first-ever female trap shooter to win a World Cup title.
But will she remain consistent and get the support from the otherwise new- look Indian shotgun team will be the question for the Indian shooting team.
India will be aiming for four or five medals in the women’s pistol team events and will also hope to claim both the air pistol and sports pistol individual titles.
The men’s pistol team, meanwhile, is a new-look unit, with most athletes having limited international experience apart from Olympian Anish Bhanwala.
Anish will be India’s only entrant in the rapid-fire pistol event due to the restricted number of participants allowed. As a result, India will not field a team in the men’s rapid-fire pistol team event.
In the rifle section, India fields a well-balanced team featuring experienced shooters such as Aishwary Tomar, Rudrankksh Patil and Elavenil Valarivan, alongside rising stars like Parth Mane and Sonam Maskar.
However, they have lacked consistency on the recent World Cup circuit and will be hoping to find their rhythm in Japan to add a few more titles to the Indian tally.
The Indian teams will also look to showcase their depth by capturing as many team titles as possible, particularly their strong suit of women’s pistol and men’s rifle events.
Indian Shooting Squad for Asian Games 2026
Pistol: Kamaljeet, Aakash Bharadwaj, Kedarling Uchaganve, Anish Bhanwala, Suruchi Singh, Manu Bhaker, Esha Singh, Rahi Sarnobat
Rifle: Himanshu Dhillon, Parth Mane, Rudrankksh Patil, Niraj Kumar, Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Vidarsa Vinod, Sonam Maskar, Elavenil Valarivan, Ashi Chouksey, Tilottama Sen
Shotgun: Shapath Bharadwaj, Kynan Chenai, Ahvar Rizvi, Bhavtegh Singh Gill, Mairaj Ahmad Khan, Anant Jeet Singh Naruka, Neeru Dhanda, Aashima Ahlawat, Manisha Keer, Maheshwari Chauhan, Parinaaz Dhaliwal, Raiza Dhillon
Indian Schedule for Asian Games 2026
20th September
06:15 AM: 10m Air Rifle Women's Qualification
11:00 AM: 10m Air Rifle Women's Final
21st September
6:15 AM: 10m Air Rifle Men's Qualification
6:30 AM: Skeet Men And Women Day 1
9:00 AM: 10m Air Rifle Men's Final
22nd September
6:15 AM: 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team Qualification
6:30 AM: Skeet Men And Women Day 2
8:25 AM: 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team Final
23rd September
06:15 AM: 10m Air Pistol Women Qualification
06:30 AM: Skeet Men And Women Qualification Day-3
09:00 AM: 10m Air Pistol Women Final
11:00 AM: Skeet Women Individual Final
12:30 PM: Skeet Men Individual Final
24th September
06:15 AM: 10m Air Pistol Men Qualification
06:30 AM: Skeet Mixed Team Qualification
11:15 AM: Skeet Mixed Team Final
12:15 PM: 10m Air Pistol Men Final
25th September
06:15 AM: 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team Qualification
07:15 AM: Men's 50m Rifle 3P Qualification
08:30 AM: 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team Final
10:30 AM: Men's 50m Rifle 3P Final
26th September
6:15 AM: Women's 50m Rifle 3P Qualification
9:30 AM: Women's 50m Rifle 3P Final
27th September
6:10 AM: Women's 25 m Pistol Qualification Day 1
6:30 AM: Trap Men & Women's Qualification Day 1
28th September
06:10 AM: 25m Women's Pistol Qualification Day 2
06:30 AM: Trap Men & Women's Qualification Day 2
10:45 AM: 25m Women's Pistol Final
29th September
06:30 AM: Trap Men & Women's Qualification Day 2
10:30 AM: Trap Women's Individual Final
12:00 PM: Trap Men's Individual Final
30th September
6:10 AM: 25m Men's Rapid Fire Pistol Qualification Day 1
6:30 AM: Trap Mixed Team Qualification
11:00 AM: Trap Mixed Team Final
1st October
06:00 AM: 25m Men's Rapid Fire Pistol Qualification Day 2
12:00 PM: 25m Men's Rapid Fire Pistol Final
Where to Watch?
The Asian Games will be broadcast on Sony Sports Network, with live streaming available on SonyLIV.