New Delhi. Indian shooter Manu Bhaker has etched her name in the history books by winning a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics 2024. The achievement is extremely significant as Bhaker has become the first Indian woman to win a medal in shooting at the Olympics. This is only Bhaker’s second appearance at the Olympics. She made her debut at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where she was prevented from winning a medal due to technical problems with her pistol during the 10m air pistol qualification round. Despite this setback, Bhaker showed a lot of resilience and perseverance, and eventually made it to the podium this time. Apart from this, she missed out on medals in the mixed team 10m pistol and 25m pistol events.
First medal for India at Paris 2024 Olympics
Manu Bhaker’s bronze medal is not only an individual victory but also the first medal for India at the Paris 2024 Olympics, a historic achievement for the country. 22-year-old Bhaker competed in multiple events at the Paris 2024 Olympics shooting competition, including the women’s 10m air pistol, 10m air pistol mixed team and women’s 25m pistol events. She was the only athlete from the 21-member Indian shooting team to compete in multiple individual events.
Bhaker secured India’s quota for the Paris 2024 Olympics by finishing fifth in the women’s 25m pistol event at the 2023 Asian Shooting Championships. Notably, she became the youngest Indian to win a gold medal at the ISSF World Cup and was also the champion in the women’s 10m air pistol event at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, where she set a CWG record.
From boxing to shooting
Born in Jhajjar, Haryana, Manu Bhaker was interested in sports from an early age, participating in tennis, skating and boxing during her school days. She also competed in the martial art ‘Thang-Ta’ at the national level. However, an eye injury during boxing ended her journey in that sport. Undaunted, Bhaker found her passion in shooting, a decision that put her on the path to becoming an Olympian.
Right after the Rio 2016 Olympics, at the age of 14, Bhaker asked her father Ram Kishan Bhaker for a shooting pistol. Her father’s support proved crucial as it helped her become a great shooter representing India on the world stage. Manu Bhaker’s journey from a talented young athlete to an Olympic medallist is a testament to her dedication and hard work.