TV
“It was a long-due medal for India,” said Manu Bhaker after scripting history in the Paris Olympics 2024. She ended India’s 12-year-long wait and gave India its moment under the sun as the National Flag raised high.
The 22-year-old became India’s first medal winner at the Paris Olympics after bagging a bronze in the final of the woman’s 10m air pistol event.
Making the entire country proud, Bhaker lived up to her reputation and became the first Indian woman to win an Olympics medal in shooting. Her terrific win has finally ended India’s rut in shooting at the Olympics, after the country went without a medal at both Tokyo Olympics and in the Rio Games.
However, the journey to success wasn’t a cakewalk for Manu who had to undergo a lot of personal tragedies to finally achieve her dreams. Three years ago, during Tokyo Olympics, Manu’s gun malfunctioned forcing her out of the finals. However, her hard work and sheer determination with patience has finally paid off.
Hailing from Haryana, Manu is a force to be reckoned in the world of shooting. The proud Indian has carved her own path in shooting after she dabbled in tennis, boxing, skating, and even ‘thang ta’, a marital arts. She was only 14, when her heart was captured by the sport of shooting.
In an almost impulsive decision and temptation of going to the Olympics, she decided to become a shooter and convinced her father to purchase a pistol for her. Thus began her shooting journey and her talent was undeniable.
She announced her arrival with a stunning victory against seasoned Olympian Heena Sidhu at the National Championships. Soon, International acclaim followed with silver lining at the Asian Junior Championships. It was her golden moment at the Youth Olympics. She was only 16, when she became India’s first Olympic gold medalist in shooting.
Also Read | From Tokyo to Paris: Manu Bhaker Scripts a Redemption Story
Manu Bhaker’s Major Achievements:
1. Asian Games 2022: Gold Medal in 25m Pistol Team.
2. World Championship, Baku 2023: Gold Medal in 25m Pistol Team.
3. Asian Shooting Championship, Changwon 2023: 5th place in 25m Pistol, secured a Paris Games 2024 Quota.
4. World Cup, Bhopal 2023: Bronze Medal in 25m Pistol.
5. World Championship, Cairo 2022: Silver Medal in 25m Pistol.
6. World University Games, Chengdu 2021: 2 Gold Medals in: 10m Air Pistol Individual, Women’s Team Event.
