Shooting events have been a part of every Asian Games since its second edition of 1954 Manila Games. Both men and women events have been conducted since its induction in the Asian Games.
Venue and Schedule
The Asian Games 2018 Shooting competition will be held from August 16 to 27, 2018 at the Jakabaring International Shooting Range for rifle, pistol, running target and shotgun events.
Asian Games 2018 Shooting Events
The 2018 Asian Games will feature 20 events with 10 events in men’s’ shooting, seven in women’s and three in mixed.
Men’s events are divided into four categories: Rifle, Pistol, Running Target and Shotgun.
Women’s events are divided into three categories: Rifle, Pistol and Shotgun.
Asian Games 2018 Shooting Teams
Each participating nation is allowed to have two shooters in each individual event.
In men’s events, the maximum number of athletes which can take part in rifle and running target shooting events are six and four respectively.
For pistol and shotgun events in both men’s and women’s categories, a nation can be represented by a maximum of four athletes.
In team events, every country is allowed a maximum of one team with 2 shooters, one male and one female.
Overall, each country may enter a maximum of 23 male and 17 female athletes in shooting events.
2014 Asian Games Shooting Results
2014 Asian Games, shooting events were dominated by Chinese and South Korean shooters.
In men’s events, China grabbed a total of 17 gold medals, 10 of which came from team events.
Chinese shooters also dominated the women’s individual and team events, winning a total of 10 gold medals, out of which six came from team events.
With a total tally of 50 medals, China was the best-performing country in shooting, a distinction which the country has managed to achieve in every Asian Games since 1978.
South Korea was the second best nation, grabbing a total of 27 medals, eight of which were gold.
Favourites for Asian Games 2018 Shooting
Going by their recent as well as historical performance, China will be the favourite nation to win the most number of medals at Asian Games 2018. Chinese shooters won a total of 37 medals including 15 gold medals at the 2017 ISS World Cup.
South Korean Jin Jongoh, the gold medallist in men’s 10m air pistol at 2014 Asian Games and 2016 Rio Olympics would be eyeing his fourth Asian Games gold medal at Asian Games 2018. China’s Ji Xiaojing, currently world number 4 would be the favourite to win gold in women’s 10 metre air pistol event.
World number one Lin Junmin would be the favourite to win the men’s 25 metre rapid fire pistol. Hui Zicheng, who won gold at 2017 ISSF World Cup is the most probable winner in men’s 50 metre rifle three positions. China’s Mingyang Wu and Ruozhu Zhao are the favourites in women’s 10 metre air rifle.
Indian Team for Asian Games 2018 Shooting
28 member strong India team would like to better their earlier performances at Asian Games 2018.
In men’s contingent includes the likes of Sanjeev Rajput, Manavjit Singh Sandhu, Ankur Mittal and Anish Bhanwala.
In men’s 25 metre rapid fire pistol, teen sensation Anish would be a strong contender for the gold medal and will most likely finish on the podium. Manavjit Singh Sandhu, who would be playing his fifth Asian Games, would be the medal hope for India in individual trap event.
In women’s event, Manu Bhakar will be India’s gold medal hope in 10 metre air pistol, 25 metre pistol event and 10 metre air pistol team event. Shreyasi Singh and Seema Tomar are expected to have a podium finish in trap individual and team events. 2017 World Champion Heena Sindhu will also be looking forward to changing the colour of her medal from bronze to gold at Asian Games 2018.