Manu Bhaker displayed exceptional composure to clinch a historic bronze medal in the women’s 10m air pistol event at the Paris Olympics. Her achievement marks a significant milestone as she becomes the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal in shooting, ending a 12-year wait for an overall Olympic medal in the sport. The last time India won a shooting medal was at the 2012 London Olympics.
Overcoming the Tokyo Setback
Three years ago, Manu Bhaker faced a devastating setback at the Tokyo Olympics when a pistol malfunction shattered her dreams. This time, she was determined and focused, showcasing remarkable resilience. Her journey from contemplating retirement after Tokyo to winning a bronze in Paris is a testament to her indomitable spirit.
The Final Showdown
In the final round, Manu Bhaker finished with a score of 221.7, securing the third spot. She narrowly missed the silver medal by a mere 0.1 points, as South Korea’s Kim Yeji edged ahead with a slightly better score. Despite this, Manu’s performance was a moment of pride for India, as she brought home the bronze.
South Korea’s Dominance
South Korea’s Oh Ye Jin broke the Olympic record to clinch the gold medal with a score of 243.2, surpassing the previous record of 240.3 set by Vitalina Batsarkshkina. Oh’s remarkable performance added to the excitement of the event, making it a memorable competition.
Manu Bhaker’s Early Life and Rise
Hailing from Jhajjar, Haryana, Manu Bhaker had a natural talent for sports from a young age. She excelled in various disciplines, including tennis, skating, boxing, and thang ta, a martial art form. However, it was the 2016 Rio Olympics that inspired her to take up shooting seriously.
Discovery of Shooting
In 2016, at the age of 14, Manu convinced her father to buy her a sports pistol, marking the beginning of her journey in shooting. Within a year, she stunned the nation by defeating Olympian Heena Sidhu to win the national shooting championship with a record-breaking score of 242.3 in the 10m Air Pistol final.
International Success
Manu Bhaker’s talent soon gained international recognition. She won a silver medal at the Asian Junior Championships and continued to impress on the global stage. At the 2018 Asian Games, she set a Games Record in the 25m Air Pistol event, though she narrowly missed a medal. Her crowning achievement came at the 2018 Youth Olympics, where she won gold in the women’s 10m air pistol event, becoming the first Indian shooter and female athlete to achieve this feat.
Guidance and Mentorship
Manu Bhaker’s success can be attributed to the guidance of her coach, Jaspal Rana. Under his mentorship, she secured the top spot in the Olympic Selection Trials T4 10m air pistol final, surpassing Asian Games champion Palak by a significant margin.
Bhaker’s Words of Wisdom
After her historic win, Manu Bhaker shared her thoughts on the experience. She revealed that she drew strength from the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita during the final moments of the competition. Remembering the words of Lord Krishna, she focused on performing her duty without worrying about the outcome, which helped her stay calm and composed.