Manu Bhaker became the first Indian woman shooter to win a medal at the Olympics a landmark achievement for Indian sports. In action at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Bhaker managed a bronze medal in the women’s 10m air pistol event with a score of 221.7 points.
This also mattered a lot to Bhaker as she had to make amends for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic campaign, which was marred by equipment malfunction. Strong determination and resilience have been inspirational after quite some growth and commitment to excellence.
Beginning at 22, Manu Bhaker’s win at the Olympics was a testament to the hard work, skill, and strength found in her mind. While this victory at Paris 2024 brings home one more medal count for India, it automatically becomes an inspiration to so many young women shooters back in the country. Bhaker’s story has been one of redemption, as it teaches the very important lesson that perseverance can pay off on the biggest stage someday.
The stupendous victory of Bhaker has been celebrated by the country as various leaders, including Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, congratulated her for the feat. Her win not only opened the medal tally for India in the Paris Olympics but created a wave of ecstasy and elation across the nation.
That historic win has made Manu Bhaker an inspiration for young athletes, particularly young women who now look up to her as their torchbearer in the Indian shooting sport. She has had support from NRAI, SAI, and coach Jaspal Rana.
Manu Bhaker’s journey to Olympic success was not without obstacles. At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, a malfunctioning pistol broke her momentum and eventually denied her a final qualification berth in the 10m air pistol event. That broke her momentum and overall psyche as she departed Tokyo without a medal. Bhaker’s resilience saw her return to the sport with renewed vigour.
India has a rich history in Olympic shooting, which has become one of the country’s most successful sports disciplines. The journey began with Karni Singh, who competed in five Olympics from 1960 to 1980, setting a foundation for future successes.
A significant turning point came in 2004 when Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore won a silver medal in the double trap event at the Athens Olympics. This victory was not only India’s first Olympic medal in shooting but also its first individual silver, sparking a revolution in the sport across the country.
The momentum continued with Abhinav Bindra, who achieved a historic milestone by winning India’s first individual Olympic gold medal in the 10m air rifle event at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. This win marked a new era for Indian shooting on the world stage.
India’s success in shooting at the Olympics includes:
The years leading up to Paris 2024 were defining ones for Bhaker, who had to get past personal and professional setbacks that further tested her resolve. After the Tokyo Olympics, Bhaker did admit to feeling disillusioned and does confess to having thoughts of stepping away from the shooting. However, it was coach Jaspal Rana and a refocus on technique that brought her love for the sport back.
Bhaker had been going through rigorous preparation for the Paris Olympics with strenuous training sessions and mental conditioning. She built up her journey by turning in a string of fine performances in international competitions and claimed the confidence to become one of the top contenders for an Olympic medal.
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