Published: 10:42 AM, 19 June 2026
Shooter Baki shifts focus to 50m Rifle 3 Positions, targets Asian Games success
Veteran Bangladesh shooter Abdullah Hel Baki is preparing him for the upcoming Asian Games at the National Shooting Complex in Gulshan. -AA
The four-day 12th National Airgun Championship 2026, organised by the Bangladesh Shooting Sport Federation (BSSF), got underway on Wednesday at the National Shooting Complex in Gulshan. The competition was inaugurated through a grand opening ceremony and will continue until June 20.
However, Bangladesh's most decorated shooter, Abdullah Hel Baki, is notably absent from the championship. Instead of competing in the 10m air rifle event, Baki has been concentrating on training for the 50m rifle discipline, with his sights firmly set on the upcoming Asian Games.
Speaking to The Asian Age, Baki revealed that persistent back pain has prevented him from returning to his favorite event.
"I have not been able to compete in the 10m event since 2021 because of injury-related issues. My back pain has not fully recovered, so I still cannot shoot in the 10m discipline. Right now, I am focusing on the 50m event. I have already qualified for the Asian Games, and that is my main target," he said.
The veteran shooter has been battling lower back pain for several years. Alongside receiving treatment at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH), he has also consulted renowned sports physician Dr. Debashish Chowdhury.
Shooting athletes often suffer from shoulder and eye-related problems due to the prolonged periods spent holding the rifle steady and maintaining intense focus on the target. Back injuries, however, are relatively uncommon in the sport. Yet it is precisely this issue that has hampered Baki's career in recent years.
"I have recovered significantly compared to before. But if I suddenly return to the 10m event now, it would be very difficult for me," he explained.
Baki's most successful discipline has traditionally been the 10m air rifle, where he first rose to prominence after winning gold at the 2004 South Asian Games. He later captured a historic silver medal in the same event at the Commonwealth Games, one of Bangladesh's greatest achievements in international shooting.
There were high expectations surrounding Baki at the Hangzhou Asian Games, but recurring back problems forced him to switch events. Instead of competing in the 10m air rifle, he participated in the 50m rifle competition, which places less strain on his back.
The 10m air rifle event requires shooters to remain standing for long periods, with qualification and final rounds stretching over several hours. In contrast, the 50m rifle three positions event includes kneeling, prone and standing positions, allowing competitors to vary their posture throughout the competition.
The shooting events of the 20th Asian Games will be held in the Aichi-Nagoya region of Japan from September 17 to October 3, 2026. In preparation, the Bangladesh Shooting Sport Federation has announced a residential training camp at the National Shooting Complex in Gulshan.
According to a federation letter issued on May 24, four shooters from the Bangladesh Navy Shooting Club-Abdullah Hel Baki, Md. Rabiul Islam, Shaker Ahmed and Turing Dewan-have been selected for the camp.
Baki says his entire focus is now on delivering a strong performance at the continental showpiece.
"The primary goal is, of course, the Asian Games. After returning to regular training, I have just started working in the new camp. Now I am training hard so that I can reach the final."
The veteran shooter remains optimistic about Bangladesh's medal prospects.
"I am fully optimistic about winning a medal at the Asian Games. The scores our shooters are producing in the rifle events are of world-class standard. If they perform at their best, Bangladesh will definitely have a chance to reach the finals. As for me, I will compete in the 50m rifle three positions event."
However, a total of 248 participants are taking part in the National Airgun Championship, including 124 male shooters, 86 female shooters, 38 club officials representing 32 rifle and shooting clubs from across the country, and 30 competition officials. The competition will conclude with the prize-giving and closing ceremony on June 20.
