Manu Bhaker has made history at the Paris Olympics by becoming the first Indian woman to win a medal in shooting. The 22-year-old shooter from Haryana clinched the bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol final at the Chateauroux Shooting Centre on Sunday, July 28. This remarkable achievement not only fulfilled her long-held dream but also ended a 12-year drought for India in Olympic shooting events.

Historic Bronze for Manu Bhaker

Manu Bhaker’s journey to the podium in Paris is a testament to her resilience and determination. After facing disappointments in Tokyo 2020, where she did not advance to the finals in any of her events, Bhaker’s success in Paris represents a major comeback. She opened India’s account at the Paris Olympics, becoming only the fifth Indian shooter to win an Olympic medal, following the footsteps of Abhinav Bindra, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Vijay Kumar, and Gagan Narang.

Consistent Performance of Manu

From the outset of the final, Manu Bhaker displayed impressive consistency. She began the competition with confidence, managing to smile for the cameras even under intense pressure. Throughout the eight-woman final, Bhaker never fell out of the top three, showcasing her steady nerves and sharpshooting skills.

Bhaker’s initial performance was strong. In the first series of five shots, she scored 50.4, hitting a score above 10 three times. She continued to perform well in the second series, ending with a total score of 100.3. This consistency helped her maintain a position in the top three throughout the competition, underscoring her ability to handle high-pressure situations.

Paris Olympics 2024: Manu Bhaker Shines as First Indian Woman to Win a Shooting Medal

Competition and Final Outcome

In the final elimination round, Bhaker was contending for the second spot with South Korea’s Kim Yeji. While Bhaker shot impressive scores of 10.1 and 10.3 in her final attempts, Kim Yeji managed to finish ahead despite shooting 9.7 and 9.8 in her last rounds. Ultimately, Korean shooter Oh Ye Jin won gold with a total score of 243.2, setting a new Olympic record, while Kim Yeji took silver with 241.3.

Overcoming Tokyo’s Heartbreak

Manu Bhaker’s victory in Paris is all the more significant considering her struggles in Tokyo. At the 2020 Olympics, Bhaker competed in three events: the 10m air pistol, the 25m pistol, and the mixed team 10m pistol event. Despite being one of India’s top medal hopes, she did not qualify for the finals in any of these events. Additionally, a pistol malfunction during the qualification round of the 10m air pistol led to a significant delay, which affected her concentration and ultimately her performance.

These setbacks in Tokyo were disheartening for Bhaker, but they also fueled her determination to succeed. She even considered quitting shooting last year, but eventually found joy in the sport again, which played a crucial role in her performance in Paris.

Preparation and Support

Leading up to the Paris Olympics, Manu Bhaker was in excellent form. Her preparation was marked by significant improvements and a renewed focus. Bhaker’s coach, Jaspal Rana, played an instrumental role in her journey. Despite the challenges faced, Rana remained confident in Bhaker’s abilities, which was evident from his calm demeanour and positive outlook before the event.