On Sunday, July 28, 2024, India’s Manu Bhaker clinched a historic bronze medal in the women’s 10m air pistol event at the Chateauroux Shooting Centre in Paris. The 22-year-old shooter from Haryana achieved a remarkable score of 221.7 points, securing her place on the podium amidst fierce competition.
Bhaker’s journey to the podium was anything but smooth. Initially struggling to hold her position among the top three, she demonstrated incredible resilience and skill, making a stunning comeback to finish third, just behind the leading Korean shooters.
Reflecting on her achievement, Bhaker shared her inspiration from the Bhagavad Gita, attributing her composure and performance to its teachings. “I feel elated. This medal was long overdue for India. I was determined to make it happen. India deserves many more medals, and I am grateful to have contributed, even in a small way,” she said. Bhaker expressed her belief in the hard work of the entire team and the surreal feeling of her personal victory. “I gave it my all, right until the last shot. Though it’s a bronze now, I hope to achieve even better results next time.”
Bhaker revealed that the wisdom of the Gita guided her throughout the competition. “I often read the Gita, and during the event, I focused on doing what I was meant to do without stressing over the outcome. Krishna advises Arjun to focus on his actions rather than the results. That mindset helped me stay centered and perform my best.”
This medal is a significant milestone for Bhaker, who faced a heartbreaking setback at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics due to equipment failure. The malfunction during qualification severely impacted her performance, leading to disappointment in the mixed team 10m pistol and 25m pistol events. This bronze medal in Paris represents a triumphant redemption and a testament to her resilience.
Manu Bhaker’s performance not only brought glory to herself but also added a cherished medal to India’s Olympic tally.
“It was a long due medal for India,” said Manu Bhaker after scripting history in the Paris Olympics. She ended India’s 12-year-long wait for the Olympic medal in shooting. The 22-year-old was seemingly hungry for more despite having become the first Indian female shooter to win an Olympic medal. The young shooter was the darling of the nation on Sunday. However, three years ago, Manu Bhaker returned home from her maiden Olympics empty-handed and full of tears after having failed to live up to expectations. She competed in three events in her maiden Games appearance, but things did not go her way.
The Tokyo heartbreak was too much to handle. In 2023, Manu Bhaker found shooting boring, it became “like a 9 to 5 job” for her. Manu lost the spark that fuelled her to pick up the pistol as a 14-year-old. She wanted to quit the sport and pursue higher education abroad. Manu was part of the Indian national team and winning medals at the highest level, her desire to be the best in the world seemed to be running out. However, Manu did not throw in the towel.
Manu Bhaker shoots history in Paris
And that’s when Manu picked up the phone and called her former coach and decorated tactician Jaspal Rana. She wanted a reunion and Rana agreed. It came, three years after a public fallout between the two. Both the shooter and the coach buried the hatchet and worked together again. The fire was lit again. Manu was locked and reloaded for the next big target — the Paris Olympics.
Who is Manu Bhaker
“In 2022 and 2023, the first six months, I felt like this has become a 9-5 job for me. And I do not like doing the same things, every day, all over again. It makes me feel bored. It just doesn’t give me the kick, That was the time I felt ‘okay, I am still in the team, I am doing okay, but it’s not giving me any kind of joy and any kind of happiness’. I felt like that was the time I should give it a break and probably focus on my studies, go to a college, and study abroad for a while. I was really thinking about it,” she added.
Manu’s ability to dig deep and find passion again did not go to waste. The Haryana shooter stood on the podium at the Chateauroux Shooting Centre on Sunday, July 28. She had learnt from the painful memories of Tokyo. The young shooter looked calm and composed and, thankfully, did not have any snag in her pistol as she shot 221.7 to clinch the bronze medal and become an unmissable part of India’s Olympic history.
Published by: Cricket Khabhar
Published on: July 28, 2024