Manu Bhaker wins bronze at Paris Olympics: All you need to know about India's star pistol shooter

Manu Bhaker enters final at Paris Olympics 2024

The Indian shooting pair of Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh secured the second medal for the country at Paris Olympics. The pair won bronze in the 10m air pistol mixed team event, with India beating South Korea 16-10. This is Manu's second medal in this edition of the Olympics, making her the first Indian to achieve this feat. The event started on a backfoot and Indian duo lost the first series, however, it was India all the way then. The Indian pair then went to secure four consecutive series, taking India to 8-2, before Korea staged a brief fightback. India then went to win Series 7, 9, 10. The show was over in Series 13.

After a heartbreak in Tokyo, three years ago, Manu Bhaker has redeemed herself in the best way possible. The 22-year-old from Jhajjar, Haryana finished third in the women's 10m air pistol finals, thus earning a bronze medal in the event. The feat saw Manu etch a new record, making her the first Indian women shooter to bag a medal at the Olympic games.

She accumulated a total of 221.7 points in the final and came very close to winning a silver in the event. If we switch our focus to the qualifiers, Manu was the only Indian to qualify for the finals among shooters on Day 1. She achieved a qualification score of 580, securing third place.

Manu Bhaker’s journey is particularly inspiring given her emotional setback during her Olympic debut in Tokyo three years ago. Known for her global acclaim and remarkable performances from a young age, Bhaker showed resilience and skill in her qualification round, overcoming the shadows of Tokyo.

- @realmanubhaker finished 3rd with a score of 580 - pic.twitter.com/OyD3tqeOkQJuly 27, 2024

Manu Bhaker, born on February 18, 2002, in Jhajjar, Haryana, is a prominent Indian sport shooter who has earned a reputation for her exceptional skills in pistol shooting. Initially exploring various sports like boxing, tennis, and skating, Bhaker discovered her passion for shooting and made an impressive international debut in 2017.

Her breakthrough came at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, where she won a gold medal in the 10m Air Pistol event, becoming the first Indian shooter to achieve this at the Youth Olympics. She has also secured multiple medals at ISSF World Cup events, including individual and mixed team gold medals.

Bhaker's first major victory came at the 2018 ISSF World Cup in Guadalajara, where she won gold at just 16. She continued her success at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia, and at the Asian Games in Jakarta, where she and Abhishek Verma clinched gold in the mixed team 10m Air Pistol event.

Domestically, Bhaker has consistently demonstrated her prowess, setting national records and winning numerous titles. Although she did not secure a medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, she gained valuable experience. Her contributions were recognized with the Arjuna Award in 2020. Bhaker remains a role model for aspiring shooters and continues to be a significant figure in Indian shooting, with many anticipating further success in her future.