Manu Bhaker opts for equipment tweaks after patchy season

NEW DELHI: India’s double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker on Monday said she has made key equipment changes ahead of the Asian Games and World Championships, hoping the adjustments will improve her medal prospects at the two major events.

After a patchy 2025 season, Manu revealed she has switched back to her old Pardini Armi pistol for the 25m sports pistol event, the same setup she used at the Paris Olympics, where she finished fourth in the event and also won two bronze medals in the 10m air pistol competitions.
Her decision follows a difficult stint with a newer, high-tech Pardini model that did not meet her expectations. “The issue primarily stemmed from the pistol’s trigger mechanism and grip. I’ve returned to the older and more reliable setup,” Manu told TOI on the sidelines of an event here to mark the National Rifle Association of India’s 75th anniversary.

While reverting to a familiar weapon in one discipline, Manu has opted for an upgrade in her pet 10m air pistol event. “I’m now using a new Morini pistol, building on my prior experience. I hope for better results with it. However, the core technique remains unchanged,” she said.
Looking ahead, the 24-year-old underlined the importance of international exposure before major competitions and said she was open to training abroad. “I think the Indian team will go outside the country for a training camp, it would be good. I’ll leave that decision for the federation to make.”

Meanwhile, plans to house some Asian Games athletes on a docked cruise ship have raised concerns in India over possible discomfort for competitors in static sports such as shooting, with worries over dizziness, imbalance or nausea and the time it may take to readjust before competition rounds.

“I’d like organisers to provide uniform and stable living conditions to all competing athletes,” Manu added.

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