India’s shooting team faced a disappointing turn of events at the Asian Games on Monday, September 28. The defending champions in the women’s 25m pistol team event ended up finishing in fifth place, accumulating a total of 1727 points. This score placed them eight points short of the silver medalists, South Korea, and seven points behind the bronze winners, Chinese Taipei. China claimed the gold with a score of 1743.
The team, consisting of Manu Bhaker, Esha Singh, and Rahi Sarnobat, had been in a strong position until a mistake during a critical moment shifted the dynamics of the competition. Sarnobat encountered a troubling situation when she experienced a frame hit during a crucial round, resulting in a score of zero for that shot. This was a significant blow for the team.
In response, the Indian team filed an appeal, believing that the scoring system had malfunctioned and did not accurately register Sarnobat’s shot. However, the Asian Games authorities rejected their appeal, standing by their original call.
Understanding Frame Hits
A frame hit occurs when a shot strikes the frame around the target instead of the target itself, which counts for no points. In a high-stakes setting like the Asian Games, such mistakes can be very costly, as each competitor’s score collectively impacts the team’s overall performance.
The Indian team speculated that the low score could have been linked to a technical fault in the scoring system. After review, officials decided that Sarnobat did not settle adequately before firing her shot, thus confirming the frame-hit decision.
This unfortunate zero came at a critical juncture for India, who were actively pursuing a medal. The misstep in Sarnobat’s series ultimately proved too much for the team to overcome.
The Stumbling Block of the Appeal
Despite the setback, the Indian shooting team chose to contest the decision, arguing that the technology had inaccurately recorded the shot. However, after careful examination, the judges upheld their initial ruling, leaving India with no chances for a medal through the appeal process.
The disappointment was magnified by the slim margins at the top. India finished with 1727 points, falling short by 16 points to China and trailing South Korea and Chinese Taipei by eight and seven points, respectively. The squad, which featured some of the country’s finest shooters, could not deliver the scores needed to reach the podium.
Manu Bhaker’s Return Without a Medal
It’s important to note that the blame for the fifth-place finish did not rest solely on Sarnobat’s shoulders. Manu Bhaker, who was anticipated to secure a medal, also had a letdown in the individual qualification phase, finishing in 11th place with a score of 579, which did not qualify her for the finals. Esha Singh managed to reach the finals by placing eighth with a score of 580, while Sarnobat ended up in 30th place with a score of 568, impacted by a poor showing in her fourth series where she only scored 39 points.
With a team that had once seemed poised for a medal finish, the combined scores proved inadequate, marking another disappointment for India’s shooting athletes at the Asian Games. The squad entered the competition full of hope, having previously secured medals in various events, but came away empty-handed this time.
