Manu Bhaker, Samrat Rana Win World Cup Silver as India Finish Second in Munich
Manu Bhaker and Samrat Rana won silver in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team event at the ISSF World Cup in Munich as India finished second in the medal standings.
India concluded its campaign at the ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol in Munich with another podium finish as Manu Bhaker and Samrat Rana secured silver in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team event on the final day of competition.
The Indian duo pushed the world number one and reigning world champion Chinese pair of Yao Qianxun and Hu Kai all the way before narrowly missing out on gold by just 0.3 points in a dramatic final at the Olympiaschießanlage shooting range. The silver medal ensured India finished second in the overall medal standings with a tally of two gold and two silver medals, behind China, which topped the table with four gold and three bronze medals.
The final between India and China proved to be one of the closest contests of the competition. Manu and Samrat faced an early challenge after a slow opening series. The Indian pair combined for 100.0 points across their first five shots each, placing them third among the four teams contesting the medal round. Samrat contributed 51.0 while Manu managed 49.0.
However, the Indians quickly recovered. Manu found her rhythm in the second series, producing an excellent 51.5, while Samrat added 49.9 as the pair climbed into second place and reduced the gap to the leaders. The momentum continued to swing in India's favour during the third series.
Manu delivered another impressive score of 51.8 and Samrat followed with 50.7, helping the Indian duo cut China's advantage to just 0.1 points.
At that stage, the contest was finely balanced.
The turning point initially appeared to favour India. During the first elimination series of three shots, Manu and Samrat produced one of their strongest stretches of the final. Manu scored 30.9 while Samrat added 30.5, helping India establish a significant 2.2-point lead. At the same time, the Chinese pair faltered. Yao Qianxun recorded 29.7 and Hu Kai managed 29.4, allowing the Indians to move firmly into pole position.
With a healthy advantage and only a few shots remaining, India looked well placed to challenge for gold.
The lead, however, would prove difficult to maintain.
Chinese Pair Fight Back
The next elimination series dramatically changed the complexion of the final. While Samrat continued shooting strongly and registered 31.2 points, Manu encountered difficulties during a crucial phase of the match. Her 19th and 20th shots yielded scores of 9.3 and 8.8, allowing the Chinese pair to rapidly close the gap.
The momentum swung decisively. By the end of the 21st shot, India's 2.2-point advantage had disappeared completely. Yao and Hu moved ahead by 0.2 points, setting up a tense finish.
Meanwhile, Shen Yihao and Bu Shuaihang of China secured the bronze medal, leaving India and China's top pair to battle for gold.
The final series showcased just how little separated the two teams. Manu opened strongly with a 10.6, but Samrat's 8.8 proved costly as China extended its lead.
Although Yao responded with an 8.7 of her own, Hu Kai compensated brilliantly by producing a sequence of high-10 scores at exactly the right moment. India fought until the final shot and managed to reduce the deficit, but the comeback fell just short. The Chinese pair ultimately secured the gold medal, with Manu and Samrat finishing only 0.3 points behind to claim silver.
While narrowly missing out on the top step of the podium, the performance highlighted India's ability to compete toe-to-toe with the world's best shooting nations.
Earlier in the day, Manu and Samrat had qualified comfortably for the medal round with a strong showing in qualification. India's second pistol team of Suruchi Singh and Shravan Kumar narrowly missed out on contention for medals, finishing 10th with a combined score of 575-20x. Suruchi contributed 291-11x while Shravan shot 284-9x.
Despite falling short of the final, the pair gained valuable experience competing against a strong international field.
India's rifle shooters were unable to reach the medal rounds in the mixed team events. The pairing of Elavenil Valarivan and Arjun Babuta finished 14th with a combined score of 630.0, while Arya Borse and Shahu Tushar Mane ended 16th with a total of 629.6. China continued its dominance in the rifle competition as Wang Zifei and Sheng Lihao secured gold. Norway's Jeanette Hegg Duestad and Jon-Hermann Hegg claimed silver, while another Chinese team, Han Jiayu and Ma Sihan, took bronze.
Despite the narrow loss in the mixed pistol final, India's overall performance in Munich will be viewed positively. Finishing second in the medal standings behind China at a major ISSF World Cup reflects the consistency and depth currently present in Indian shooting. Manu Bhaker once again demonstrated her ability to deliver on the international stage, while Samrat Rana showed composure against some of the world's best shooters.
With two gold medals and two silvers from the competition, India leaves Munich with momentum and confidence as preparations continue for the major championships ahead.
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