On Sunday, Manu Bhaker made history at the Paris Olympics 2024 by becoming the first Indian woman to win a medal in shooting at the Olympics. Competing in the Women's Air Pistol event, Bhaker secured a bronze medal with a score of 221.7 marking a significant achievement for India in the ongoing games.
A Historic Achievement
Bhaker's bronze medal is particularly notable as it is the first medal for India in this year's Olympics. Her performance was a victorious comeback after facing difficulties at the Tokyo Olympics, where her pistol malfunctioned. This win also marks the first time in 20 years that an Indian woman has reached the shooting finals in an individual event at the Olympics, the last being Suma Shirur in 2004.
The Competition
In a fiercely contested final, South Korea's Ye Jin won the gold medal with an Olympic record of 243.2 points while her compatriot, Kim Yeji, took home the silver with 241.3 points. Bhaker's journey to the podium began on Saturday, when she finished third in the qualification round of the Women's 10 Meter Air Pistol by securing her spot in the finals. Unfortunately, another Indian shooter, Rhythm Sangwan did not make it to the final by finishing in 15th place.
A Moment of Improvement
For Manu Bhaker, this victory is more than just a medal; it is a moment of improvement. Overcoming the setbacks of the previous Olympics, she demonstrated resilience and determination by making her country proud and inspiring future generations of Indian shooters. Manu Bhaker's historic win is a testament to her skill, hard work, and perseverance and it represents a significant milestone in Indian sports history.
Manu Bhaker's Path to Improvement and Olympic Glory
Manu Bhaker's journey to her recent Olympic success was not easy. After a disappointing performance at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where she faced technical problems and failed to meet expectations then Manu considered giving up on her sport entirely.
Struggles and Contemplation
Manu's father revealed that she was deeply upset by her performance in Tokyo. She even thought about leaving shooting behind. The idea of changing her career path seemed more and more attractive. Manu considered going abroad for further studies or even exploring a career in the Services.
A Turning Point
The critical moment that reignited Manu's passion for shooting came in 2023. This change was largely thanks to advice from her childhood coach, Jaspal Rana. Manu shared how a significant conversation with Rana had a profound impact on her. Rana asked her what she planned to do next. Manu admitted she was unsure and thinking about quitting. Rana responded with a powerful message: "You are one of the best shooters not just in the country but in the world. It's up to you to decide what you want to do with your life." This encouragement from Rana was the turning point for Manu, pushing her to fully commit to her sport once again.
Achieving Olympic Glory
On Sunday, Manu Bhaker achieved her dream by winning a bronze medal in the Women's 10m Air Pistol event at the Paris Olympics. This victory is especially noteworthy as she is the first Indian woman to win a medal in this event. Her accomplishment is a significant milestone for Indian shooting, ending a 12-year wait for an Olympic shooting medal. Manu's triumph places her among other celebrated Indian shooters like Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Abhinav Bindra, Vijay Kumar, and Gagan Narang, who have also won Olympic medals for India.
Embracing the Moment
Reflecting on her performance, Manu revealed that she was not fully aware of her score during the final round. Instead, she focused on the process and accepted whatever outcome awaited her. Her mindset was one of gratitude, regardless of the result. She described the experience as unreal and expressed her happiness at winning the medal for her country after a long gap.
Manu Bhaker's Journey at Paris 2024: A Detailed Look
Indian shooter Manu Bhaker is once again representing her country at the Olympic Games, this time in Paris 2024. Her debut was at Tokyo 2020, where she faced some challenges but showed promise for future competitions.
Tokyo 2020 is a Learning Experience during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Manu Bhaker participated in the 10m air pistol qualification. Unfortunately, a technical issue with her pistol prevented her from securing a medal. Additionally, she didn't reach the podium in the mixed team 10m pistol and 25m pistol events.
Paris 2024 is a Second Chance at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Manu Bhaker is competing in multiple events: the women’s 10m air pistol, 10m air pistol mixed team, and women’s 25m pistol. Remarkably, she is the only athlete from the 21-member Indian shooting team to compete in several individual events. Securing the Olympic Spot, Manu Bhaker earned her place at the Paris 2024 Olympics by securing a quota for India. She achieved this by finishing fifth in the women's 25m pistol event at the 2023 Asian Shooting Championships.
Achievements in Paris 2024
Manu Bhaker has already made her mark at the Paris 2024 Olympics by winning a historic bronze medal in the women's 10m air pistol event. She continues to demonstrate her skill and determination as she prepares for the bronze medal match in the 10m air pistol mixed team event with her partner, Sarabjot Singh, on Tuesday.
Manu Bhaker is a young Indian shooting sensation who has made a remarkable impact on the world stage. At a very young age, she achieved a historic feat by becoming the first Indian to win a gold medal at an ISSF World Cup. Her talents extend beyond this, as she also clinched the top prize at the Commonwealth Games in the women's 10-meter air pistol event, setting a new record in the process. Bhaker's achievements don't stop there. She holds the distinction of being the first Indian shooter and the first Indian female athlete to win gold at the Youth Olympics. Furthermore, she has contributed to India's medal tally by securing gold in the women's 25-meter team pistol event at the Asian Games. With such an impressive track record, all eyes will be on Bhaker as she competes in the upcoming Paris Olympics. The shooting events will take place in July and August at the National Shooting Center in Châteauroux.
. . .
References: