Ghulam Mustafa Bashir receives hero's welcome in Karachi after Asian Games bronze
Ghulam Mustafa Bashir receives hero’s welcome in Karachi after Asian Games bronze
KARACHI: Pakistan shooter Ghulam Mustafa Bashir returned home on Saturday to a hero’s welcome, two days after winning bronze in the men’s 25-metre rapid-fire pistol at the 2026 Asian Games.
Supporters and fellow Pakistan Navy shooters gathered at Jinnah International Airport to receive the Olympian. The medal-winning shooter was lifted onto the shoulders of those present as flower petals were showered over him and garlands were placed around his neck, while Pakistan Navy shooters chanted “Pakistan Zindabad” during the celebrations.
Ghulam Mustafa Bashir: the road from the Aichi final
Bashir secured the bronze on Thursday in an eight-man final at the Aichi Prefectural General Shooting Gallery, finishing third with 22 hits.
South Korea’s Lee Gunhyeok took the gold and China’s Su Lianbofan the silver after both recorded 32 hits, with the South Korean prevailing in the decider. Their scores were listed as an Asian Games record and an Asian record. Bashir finished two hits clear of Vietnam’s Pham Quang Huy, who was eliminated in fourth place with 20.
The Pakistani shooter had to fight his way into the medal round. He entered the second day of qualification in eighth place before improving to sixth to secure his place in the final, and he held his nerve through the elimination stages to stay in medal contention.
What the bronze means for Pakistan shooting
The bronze was the first Asian Games medal of Bashir’s career and Pakistan’s second shooting medal in the continental event’s history, after Kishmala Talat’s bronze at the Hangzhou Games.
Bashir is no stranger to the big stage. The three-time Olympian previously won bronze for Pakistan at the 2022 ISSF World Championships, and the Asian Games podium was the one major honour missing from his collection.
His medal took Pakistan’s overall tally at the Nagoya Games to six. The country also secured medals in esports, modern MMA through Asim Khan, squash through Noor Zaman and Mohammad Ashab Irfan in men’s singles, and women’s cricket, whose team won bronze after beating Bangladesh by 31 runs in the third-place playoff at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin on Tuesday.
Frequently asked questions
What did Ghulam Mustafa Bashir win at the Asian Games?
Bashir won bronze in the men’s 25-metre rapid-fire pistol at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, finishing third with 22 hits in the eight-man final.
How was Bashir received on his return to Karachi?
He was given a hero’s welcome at Jinnah International Airport on October 3, 2026. Supporters lifted him onto their shoulders, showered him with flower petals and garlands, while Pakistan Navy shooters chanted “Pakistan Zindabad”.
What are Bashir’s other major achievements?
The three-time Olympian won bronze at the 2022 ISSF World Championships and is Pakistan’s most decorated pistol shooter. His Asian Games bronze is the country’s second shooting medal at the Games, after Kishmala Talat’s bronze at Hangzhou.
