Manu Bhaker Urges Indian Athletes to Focus on Asian Games
Manu Bhaker has urged Indian athletes to put organisational concerns aside and focus on their performances as the 2026 Asian Games begin in Japan.
Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker has urged Indian athletes to put the organisational issues surrounding the Asian Games aside and focus on their performances as the Aichi-Nagoya Games get underway in Japan.
The build-up to the Games has included concerns from athletes and officials about accommodation, transportation and long journeys to training venues. Bhaker acknowledged that such issues may arise but said athletes should avoid allowing them to distract from the competition.
In a message shared by the Indian Olympic Association, Bhaker said the Asian Games could be a once-in-a-lifetime experience and encouraged her fellow competitors to enjoy the opportunity rather than spend their energy complaining.
She stressed that athletes had already worked hard to reach the Games and should now concentrate on executing their preparation. According to Bhaker, winning a medal is not always guaranteed, but giving their best effort should remain the priority.
India has sent 499 athletes to the 2026 Asian Games, with competitors participating across 36 sports. At the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, India won a record 107 medals, including 28 gold, 38 silver and 41 bronze.
Bhaker will compete in three shooting events in Aichi-Nagoya: the women’s 10m air pistol, women’s 25m pistol and mixed team 10m air pistol.
The shooter, who won two bronze medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics, is also serving as one of India’s flag-bearers. Having made her Asian Games debut at just 16 in 2018, she described the new role as a proud moment.
For Bhaker, the message is straightforward: the logistics may not be perfect, but the target is still the target.
