Paris, July 28: The name Manu Bhaker is resonating across India as she wins a historic bronze medal in shooting at the Paris Olympics 2024. Hailing from Haryana, a state renowned for producing numerous Olympic medalists, Bhaker’s achievement is unique as she stands out in a region known primarily for its boxers and wrestlers. She is the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal in the shooting category.
Early Life and Diverse Talents
From a young age, Manu Bhaker showed proficiency in various sports. She dabbled in tennis, skating, boxing, and even excelled in the martial art ‘Thang Ta,’ winning national-level medals. Despite her success in these sports, her passion for shooting stood out, leading her to focus on it wholeheartedly.
The Beginning of a Shooting Career
Manu Bhaker was 14 years old when she began her journey in shooting, inspired after the 2016 Rio Olympics. Her supportive father promptly bought her a sport shooting pistol, recognizing her determination and talent.
Rise to Prominence
Bhaker quickly made a name for herself in the shooting world. At the 2017 National Shooting Championship, she defeated Olympic medalist and former World No.1 shooter Heena Sidhu, setting a record score of 242.3 in the 10m air pistol category. She also won a silver medal at the 2017 Asian Junior Championship.
In 2018, Bhaker broke the world record in the junior category at the International Sport Shooting Federation (ISSF) World Cup and became the youngest person to win a gold medal at the age of 16. She continued her success by winning gold medals in the 10m air pistol individual and mixed team events at the ISSF World Cup.
Record-Breaking Performances
Bhaker’s remarkable achievements continued with a gold medal in the women’s 10m air pistol event at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia. In 2019, she qualified for the Tokyo Olympics after finishing fourth in the Munich ISSF World Cup. At the 2021 ISSF World Cup held in New Delhi, she won gold in the 10m air pistol team category and silver in the individual category.
Challenges and Triumphs
Despite entering the Tokyo Olympics with high expectations and topping the qualification round, Bhaker faced a setback when her pistol malfunctioned, causing her to withdraw from the next round.
A Historic Victory in Paris
Manu Bhaker’s perseverance and dedication culminated in her winning a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics 2024, making her the first Indian woman to achieve this feat in shooting. Her journey from a multi-talented young athlete to an Olympic medalist is an inspiring story of determination and success.
