GM Bashir Off to a Flying Start in Asian Games Shooting
Pakistan’s veteran shooter Ghulam Mustafa Bashir has made a promising start at the 20th Asian Games in Japan, finishing eighth in the opening stage of the men’s 25-metre rapid-fire pistol event and keeping himself firmly in contention for a place in the final.
Competing at the Aichi Prefecture General Shooting Gallery on Wednesday, the Olympian produced a score of 289-8x to finish eighth among 28 competitors. With the second stage scheduled for Thursday, Bashir still has an opportunity to climb the standings and secure a place in the medal-deciding final.
His opening performance has given Pakistan’s shooting contingent something to look forward to as the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games continue.
Bashir Finishes Eighth After First Stage
Bashir’s 289-point performance placed him just one point behind Kazakhstan’s Nikita Chiryukin, who finished seventh.
At the top of the standings was China’s Su Lianbofan, who produced an impressive 297-12x. South Korea’s Yoon Seoyeong followed with 293-9x, while compatriot Lee Gunhyeok recorded 292-8x.
The tight nature of the standings means Bashir is not far away from the leading group.
With only a handful of points separating several shooters, even a small improvement in the second stage could significantly change the qualification picture.
Second Stage Could Decide Bashir’s Fate
The second stage of the 25m rapid-fire pistol competition is scheduled for Thursday, with the final also set to take place on the same day.
Pakistan shooting officials remain hopeful that Bashir can make the cut.
National Rifle Association of Pakistan (NRAP) senior official and coach Razi Ahmed Khan described Bashir’s start as encouraging and said the veteran shooter was in a strong position to progress.
According to Khan, the real pressure is now on the leading shooters, while Bashir has an opportunity to focus on producing a consistent second stage.
A Veteran With Major International Experience
Bashir is not new to high-pressure international competition.
The Pakistani shooter is an Olympian and won a bronze medal at the 2022 World Championships, giving him significant experience on the international stage.
That experience could prove valuable in a competition where qualification margins are extremely narrow.
The 25m rapid-fire pistol requires athletes to combine speed, accuracy and concentration. Shooters must respond quickly while maintaining precision, making even a small loss of focus potentially costly.
For Bashir, the challenge now is to turn his solid opening performance into a place in the final.
Why 289-8x Matters
Bashir’s score of 289-8x means he accumulated 289 points, with eight shots registering as inner tens.
While the score left him eighth after the opening stage, the standings remain closely packed.
Being only one point away from seventh shows how competitive the event is, while the gap to the top positions means Bashir will need a stronger second stage if he wants to challenge for a medal.
The qualification battle will therefore come down to consistency and precision rather than simply producing one big score.
Pakistan’s Shooting Team Faces Major Setbacks
While Bashir has managed to compete, Pakistan’s shooting campaign has also been affected by an administrative problem involving No Objection Certificates (NOCs).
Several Pakistani shooters were unable to travel to Japan because their NOCs were issued too late, according to NRAP official Razi Ahmed Khan.
Among those affected were Mohammad Farooq, Mohammad Shabbir, Farrukh Nadeem, Usman Chand, Imam Haroon and Kishmala Talat.
The absence of several experienced athletes has reduced Pakistan’s representation in shooting at the Asian Games.
Ammunition Transport Created Another Challenge
According to Khan, the late issuance of NOCs also created logistical complications because transporting ammunition internationally requires additional arrangements.
He explained that when athletes miss their planned flights, the process of arranging ammunition transportation can take considerable time.
As a result, several Pakistani shooters were unable to make it to the competition.
The situation has been particularly disappointing for athletes who were expected to have medal opportunities.
Kishmala Talat’s Absence Hits Pakistan Hard
Among the notable absentees is Kishmala Talat, who had already made history for Pakistan at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou.
Talat became the first Pakistani shooter to win an Asian Games medal in shooting when she secured bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol event at the 2023 Games.
According to Khan, Talat was in good form and could have been a strong medal contender again.
Her absence therefore represents a major setback for Pakistan’s shooting campaign.
The missed opportunity also highlights the importance of administrative preparations alongside athletic performance at major international competitions.
Bashir Carries Pakistan’s Hopes Forward
With several shooters unable to compete, greater attention is now on Bashir.
His experience, international record and ability to perform under pressure make the second stage particularly important.
However, he will face strong competition from some of Asia’s leading shooters.
China, South Korea and other major shooting nations have already shown their strength during the competition, with athletes from the region occupying several leading positions. The International Shooting Sport Federation’s coverage of the Aichi-Nagoya Games has also highlighted strong performances from China, South Korea, Qatar and other Asian shooting powers.
A Medal Is Still Within Reach
Bashir’s eighth-place position after stage one does not eliminate his chances of reaching the final.
The narrow gaps between competitors mean that a strong second stage could push him higher in the standings.
For Pakistan, the immediate target is therefore qualification.
Once in the final, the competition starts again in a different environment, where concentration and the ability to handle pressure become even more important.
Asian Games Shooting Competition Continues
The 2026 Asian Games are being held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 17 to October 3.
Shooting is among the major medal sports on the Games programme, with athletes competing across multiple rifle, pistol and shotgun disciplines.
The competition has already produced several notable performances, including Asian and world-level records in some events.
For Pakistan, Bashir’s progress in the 25m rapid-fire pistol remains one of the key shooting storylines.
What Happens Next for GM Bashir?
The answer will come on Thursday when Bashir returns for the second stage.
His eighth-place finish has kept him within striking distance, but the competition remains extremely tight.
A stronger performance could move him into the qualifying positions and potentially set up a place in the final later the same day.
For now, Pakistan’s focus is simple: maintain composure, improve the score and secure a place among the finalists.
Latest Update
As of September 30, 2026, Ghulam Mustafa Bashir has finished eighth in stage one of the men’s 25m rapid-fire pistol event at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, recording 289-8x among 28 competitors.
China’s Su Lianbofan currently leads with 297-12x, while South Korea’s Yoon Seoyeong and Lee Gunhyeok occupy second and third positions.
Bashir will compete in the second stage on Thursday, with the final also scheduled for the same day.
His performance has kept Pakistan’s hopes alive, but the next stage will be crucial in determining whether the experienced Olympian can advance to the final and challenge for an Asian Games medal.