At just 22 years old, Manu Bhaker has already etched her name in the history books as India’s first woman shooter to win an Olympic medal. Her bronze medal in the women’s 10m air pistol at the Paris 2024 Olympics not only made her country proud but also showcased her remarkable talent and resilience.
Hailing from the small village of Goria in Haryana, Bhaker’s journey to the Olympic podium has been nothing short of extraordinary. Growing up, she excelled in various sports like Huyen Langdon, boxing, tennis, and skating, winning national medals in these events. However, it was her father’s investment of Rs 1,50,000 that propelled her to take up competitive shooting at the age of 14.
Bhaker’s rise to stardom was meteoric. In 2017, she won the silver medal at the Asian Junior Championships, and later that year, she dominated the National Games in Kerala, winning nine gold medals and breaking the record of multiple World Cup medalist Heena Sindhu. Her breakthrough moment came in 2018 when she won gold medals at the ISSF World Cup in Guadalajara, Mexico, and the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coasts, Australia, becoming the youngest Indian to achieve these feats.
Despite facing setbacks at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where a gun malfunction prevented her from winning a medal, Bhaker remained determined to make her mark on the global stage. Her resilience paid off at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where she won the bronze medal in the women’s 10m air pistol event, becoming the first Indian woman to achieve this milestone.
Bhaker’s historic achievement has not only inspired a generation of young athletes in India but has also highlighted the importance of supporting and nurturing talent in the country. Her journey is a testament to the power of hard work, dedication, and perseverance in the face of adversity.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Bhaker’s success is her ability to excel in India but has also highlighted the importance of supporting and nurturing talent in the country. Her journey is a testament to the power of hard work, dedication, and perseverance in the face of adversity.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Bhaker’s success is her ability to excel in multiple events. At the Paris 2024 Olympics, she will be competing in the women’s 10m air pistol, 10m air pistol mixed team,, and women’s 25m pistol events, making her the only athlete from the 21-member Indian shooting team to participate in multiple individual events.
Bhaker’s passion for shooting and her determination to make India proud have been the driving forces behind her success. In an exclusive interview, she revealed that she had even considered quitting the sport and studying abroad, but her love for shooting and her desire to achieve greatness kept her going.
Bhaker’s journey has not been without its challenges. She has faced personal struggles and has had to overcome obstacles such as gun malfunctions and high expectations. However, her ability to rise above these challenges and emerge stronger has made her an inspiration to many.
As Bhaker prepares for her next events at the Paris 2024 Olympics, all eyes will be on her to see if she can add more medals to her collection. Her preferred event of 25m air pistol is scheduled later in the tournament, and she is expected to be a strong contender for a podium finish.
In conclusion, Manu Bhaker‘s historic bronze medal win at the Paris 2024 Olympics has marked a new chapter in Indian shooting. Her unexpected rise to stardom has shown that talent can come from anywhere and that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible. Bhaker’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of supporting and nurturing talent in India. As she continues to shine on the global stage, she will undoubtedly inspire many more young athletes to follow in her footsteps and achieve greatness.