Paris Olympics: Haryana’s Manu Bhaker has made history by becoming the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal in shooting. She clinched the bronze medal in the women’s 10m pistol air final at the Chateauroux Shooting Center during the 2024 Paris Olympics. This monumental achievement has etched 28 July as a golden date in India’s Olympic history.
India’s Shooting Performance at the Paris Olympics
India’s initial performance in shooting at the Paris 2024 Olympics was underwhelming. Both Indian teams failed to qualify for medals in the 10m air rifle mixed team event. Arjun Cheema and Arbjot Singh also did not advance to the final round of the men’s 10m air pistol competition. However, Manu Bhaker’s bronze medal in the women’s 10m air pistol event revived the nation’s hopes and brought pride to India.
Manu Bhaker’s Journey: Haryana to Paris Olympics
This is Manu Bhaker’s second Olympics. She debuted in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where a malfunctioning pistol prevented her from winning a medal in the 10m air pistol event. At the Paris 2024 Olympics, 22-year-old Manu is the only athlete from the 21-member Indian shooting team participating in multiple events, including the women’s 10m air pistol, 10m air pistol mixed team, and women’s 25m pistol.
Paris Olympics: Early Life and Career
Born in Jhajjar, Haryana, Manu Bhaker excelled in various sports during her school days, including tennis, skating, and boxing. She also practiced the martial art ‘Than Ta’ and won medals at the national level. However, an eye injury during boxing ended her boxing career. Undeterred, her passion for sports led her to pursue a career in shooting.
Road to the Olympics
Manu secured India’s quota for the Paris 2024 Olympics by finishing fifth in the women’s 25m pistol at the 2023 Asian Shooting Championships. She is the youngest Indian to win gold at the ISSF World Cup and is the Commonwealth Games champion in the women’s 10m air pistol event at Gold Coast 2018.
Devotion to Lord Krishna
Manu Bhaker is a devout follower of Lord Krishna. She reads the Gita daily and believes in focusing on her duties without worrying about the future. After winning the medal, Manu said, “In the Gita, Lord Shri Krishna asked Arjun to focus only on his work, and keeping that in mind, I was able to achieve this.”
Manu Bhaker’s journey from a multi-sport athlete to an Olympic medalist is a testament to her resilience, dedication, and unwavering faith.
