Paris Olympics 2024: Who is Manu Bhaker, India's star shooter in women's 10m air pistol final?
India's star shooter Manu Bhaker has made an extraordinary return to form by securing a spot in the final of the women's 10m Air Pistol event at the Paris Olympics. Finishing third with a score of 580-27x, Bhaker's performance included impressive series scores of 97, 97, 98, 96, and 96. This achievement comes three years after her disappointment at the Tokyo Olympics, where she considered leaving the sport. Now 22, Bhaker aims to secure an Olympic medal to add to her illustrious career. Fellow Indian shooter Rhythm Sangwan finished 15th with a score of 573. The final is scheduled for Sunday.
Here's a look at her journey and recent achievements:? ?
Who is Manu Bhaker?
Manu Bhaker was born in Jhajjar, Haryana, and is recognized as a young prodigy in the shooting world. She became India's youngest gold medalist in an ISSF World Cup at a remarkably early age. Her journey in shooting began at 14, shortly after the Rio Olympics. With unwavering support from her father, Bhaker rapidly ascended through national championships, breaking records and defeating seasoned competitors like Heena Sidhu.
Bhaker's debut at the ISSF World Cup in Guadalajara, Mexico, was a significant milestone. She set a junior world record and won gold in the 10m Air Pistol event, surpassing Olympic champions and experienced shooters. This victory marked the start of a remarkable streak, including multiple gold medals on the junior circuit and setting a Games record at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.
However, Bhaker faced challenges during the 2018 Asian Games despite her growing popularity. A historic moment came when she represented India at the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires, becoming the first-ever Indian female shooter to win a gold medal. This success underscored her capabilities but also highlighted the difficulty of transitioning from junior to senior competitions.
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Bhaker's partnership with Saurabh Chaudhary in mixed team events proved particularly fruitful, winning consecutive gold medals at ISSF World Cups.
Manu Bhaker's recent achievements
Despite facing hurdles in senior competitions and not replicating her earlier successes since 2021, Bhaker's determination and skill remain evident. Throughout her career, Bhaker has shown remarkable endurance and zeal, bringing significant changes to Indian shooting on the global stage. She continues to inspire young athletes across India, reminding them of the tenacity and persistence required for sporting greatness.
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In 2022, Bhaker won the silver medal in the women's 25m pistol at the Cairo World Championship. She followed this by winning a gold medal in the same event at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou. Additionally, she secured a Paris 2024 Olympic quota for India after finishing fifth in the women's 25m pistol event at the Asian Shooting Championship 2023 in Changwon.
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