Manu Bhaker, at just 22 years of age, has made history for India by winning a bronze medal in the 10m air pistol event at the Paris Olympics. This remarkable achievement ends a 12-year wait for an Olympic shooting medal for India and makes Bhaker the first Indian female shooter to win an Olympic medal.
Manu Bhaker was born in Jhajjar, Haryana – a state famous for its athletes in boxing and wrestling. As a child, she dabbled in various sports, including tennis, skating, boxing, and the martial arts ‘thang ta’, where she won national medals. Inspired by the Rio Olympics in 2016, Bhaker discovered her passion for shooting at the age of 14, reported Business Standard.
Bhaker’s shooting career took off quickly. At the 2017 National Shooting Championships, she surprised everyone by winning nine gold medals and setting a new record in the 10m Air Pistol final, defeating seasoned Olympian Heena Sidhu. The following year, at just 16, she won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games, marking her arrival on the international stage.
In 2018, Bhaker continued her winning streak with a gold medal at the Youth Olympics and a victory in the Women’s 10m Air Pistol event at the ISSF World Cup in Mexico. Her consistent performances earned her an Olympic quota place with a fourth-place finish at the 2019 ISSF World Cup in Munich, reported Financial Express. However, her Olympic debut at the Tokyo Games in 2021 was disappointing, as she competed in three events without securing a medal. This setback left her questioning her future in the sport.
Reflecting on her struggles, Bhaker admitted that by 2022 and the first half of 2023, shooting felt like a monotonous routine. She even considered leaving the sport to pursue higher education abroad. Despite being a part of the national team and having numerous successes, her drive seemed to be fading.
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But determined not to give up, Bhaker reached out to her former coach, Jaspal Rana, despite their public fallout three years earlier. Their reunion proved to be a turning point. Working together, they focused on reigniting Bhaker’s passion and preparing her for the Paris Olympics.
Bhaker’s hard work and renewed dedication paid off. On July 28, at the Chateauroux Shooting Centre, she shot a score of 221.7 to win the bronze medal. This victory was a moment of redemption, as she stood on the Olympic podium, overcoming the painful memories of Tokyo.
What a journey Manu Bhaker has had, from being a young girl exploring multiple sports to becoming an Olympic medalist. India is proud of her!