Indian shooter Manu Bhaker finished fifth in the women’s 10m air pistol final at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya on Wednesday, September 23. But the disappointment of missing out on a medal became deeply emotional when she was asked about her late coach and mentor, Jaspal Rana.
Bhaker, 24, struggled to hold back tears as she recalled Rana, who died of cardiac issues in June at the age of 49. The Asian Games marked her first major multi-sport event since his death.
Rana played a significant role in Bhaker’s shooting career and guided her during the period that culminated in her two bronze medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics. He was also a celebrated shooter himself, winning eight Asian Games medals, including four gold medals across three editions.
Speaking about Rana after the final, Bhaker said that memories of someone who has been an important part of one’s life do not simply disappear. She recalled how much she and Rana had been looking forward to the Asian Games in Japan.
One of the biggest lessons Rana repeatedly gave her was to concentrate on the process rather than becoming consumed by the result. Bhaker said his advice was to give one’s best performance at any given moment and follow the process.
She also remembered a broader lesson from Rana: that life is unpredictable and should be lived fully while treating others with kindness.
In the final, Bhaker made a strong start but an 8.9 on her eighth shot affected her position. She recovered with several strong shots, including 10.8s, but another 9.6 later in the competition ended her medal hopes. She eventually finished fifth with a score of 181.1.
Bhaker acknowledged that the 8.9 had significantly affected her medal chances but said she had genuinely tried her best. She also pointed out that her performance in the final was better than some of her simulated-final performances during preparation in Bhopal.
Despite the result, Bhaker remained positive about her future. She credited her current coach Jelena Arunovic and her wider support team for helping her through a difficult period.
The fifth-place finish meant Bhaker left the individual 10m air pistol event without a medal, but her emotional tribute to Rana highlighted the lasting influence he had on both her sporting career and her outlook on life.
