Manu Bhaker became the first Indian Woman to win an Olympic medal in Shooting.
29 July, 2024
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“Papa, let’s see how long fate cannot be on my side.” Manu Bhaker said this to her father after missing out on a medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Fast forward three years to the 2024 Paris Olympics and Manu Bhaker has made history as the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal in shooting. She is also India's first medalist at this edition.
Image Credit - News18
Challenges in Tokyo 2021
2021 was a challenging year for Manu. During the Olympics, her gun malfunctioned in the Women’s 10m air pistol qualification round, preventing her from advancing to the next stage. Despite this setback, she displayed remarkable resilience and gave a commendable performance, although it wasn’t enough to secure a place in the finals.
Overcoming Setbacks
The heartbreak of Tokyo took a significant toll on Manu. In 2023, she even considered quitting the sport, feeling disillusioned and viewing shooting as just a routine job. She thought about pursuing studies abroad, contemplating a different path for her future. However, advice from her former coach, Jaspal Rana, played a crucial role in changing her mind. His encouragement and belief in her potential motivated her to continue in the sport. With Rana back as her coach, Manu has now achieved a remarkable feat in 2024, making India proud.
Early Achievements
Manu’s journey in sports began at a young age. Initially, she engaged in boxing, then switched to judo and karate before finally trying her hand at shooting in 2016. Her talent was evident from the start, as she won a gold medal at the Haryana Open. At just 16, Manu established herself as a future star by winning a gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. She is also the youngest Indian to win a gold medal at the ISSF World Cup. In 2018, she won a gold medal at the Youth Olympics in the 10m air pistol event and another at the mixed team 10m air pistol event with Abhishek Verma at the Asian Games.
Image Credits - Times of India
Historic Win in 2024
In 2024, Manu achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal in shooting. She secured a bronze in the 10m air pistol event, missing the silver by a narrow margin. Manu is not done yet; she will compete in two more events—the 10m air pistol mixed team and the women’s 25m pistol event. Her journey so far has been inspirational, and there is a strong belief that she will bring home another medal in these upcoming events.
Manu Bhaker’s journey from the disappointment of Tokyo to the triumph of Paris is a story of resilience, dedication, and the power of never giving up on one’s dreams.
