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Manu Bhaker wins bronze in women’s 10m air pistol; gets first medal for India at Paris Olympics
With this bronze medal, Manu Bhaker becomes first Indian woman shooter to win an Olympic medal.
Manu Bhaker celebrates with the Indian flag after winning the bronze medal in women’s 10m air pistol in Paris Olympic 2024 in Chateaurouh shooting range in France on July 28, 2024.
| Photo Credit: Ritu Raj Konwar
India’s Manu Bhaker won the bronze medal and brought the first medal for the country at the Paris Olympics 2024 in the women’s 10m air pistol event.
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With her 10m air pistol bronze, Bhaker becomes first Indian woman shooter to win an Olympic medal.
Bronze medalist Manu Bhaker reacts at the end of the 10m air pistol women’s Final during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Chateauroux Shooting Centre on July 28, 2024.
| Photo Credit:
AFP
On July 27 Manu Bhaker had qualified for the final of her event with a score of 580 points, finishing third out of 45 competitors with the top-eight going through to Sunday’s final. The 22-year-old became the first Indian to do so at the 2024 Olympics.
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This is the fifth shooting medal for India. Earlier, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore (silver in Athens Olympics, 2004), Bindra (gold, Beijing 2008), Gagan Narang (bronze, London 2012) and Vijay Kumar (silver, London) have brought glory to the country in shooting.
She was in excellent form prior to the Paris Olympics 2024.
The 22-year-old Bhaker, who hails from Jhajjar in Haryana, fought hard to get the bronze with a score of 221.7 here.
Korea’s Kim Yeji claimed the silver with a total of 241.3 while her compatriot Jin Ye Oh bagged the gold with a Games record of 243.2.
Bhaker was competing in her second Olympics after drawing a blank in the previous edition.
Took long time to overcome Tokyo disappointed, says Bhaker
“After Tokyo I was very disappointed and it took me a very long time to overcome that. Frankly speaking, I really can’t explain how good I am feeling today,” Bhaker, whose Tokyo campaign had ended in tears after her pistol malfunctioned during the qualification of the same event, said with a wide smile on her face.
“I was fighting with all the energy I have. Really grateful that I could win the bronze. I read Bhagwat Gita and always tried to do what I am supposed to do, left everything else to god “We can’t fight destiny,” added the world champion in 25m pistol event.
“So really grateful that I could win bronze, maybe (it will be) better next time,” she added.
“I feel great. This medal was long due for India. It feels surreal.” The triumph opened the country’s account in the Paris Games and ended a 12-year wait for its much-hyped shooters.
But, over the past two days, she put up an effort that is expected of an athlete who has won many medals on the international stage.
Mental toughness
“India deserves many more medals. As many as possible. The feeling is really surreal, it takes a lot of effort,” she said.
It was a close final and she was also in with a chance to win silver at one stage.
“In the last shot, I was fighting with all the energy I had. Maybe I can get better in the next (event).” Mental toughness is one area where Bhaker has worked a lot over the years, with plenty of help also coming from her coach Jaspal Rana.
“I read a lot of Bhagwat Gita, and tried to do just what I am supposed to do and left everything else to God. We can’t fight destiny, you can’t control the outcome.
“You can only keep trying and keep giving your best,” Bhaker said when asked how she coped with the disappointment in Tokyo.
About the biggest win of her magnificent career, the nine-time World Cup medallist added, “I really can’t explain how good I am feeling. I was fighting with all the energy the I have.” She qualified for the final after shooting 580 while giving enough indications that she has set her sights on a podium finish this time.
“As soon as the qualification was over, I didn’t know how things were going to be. We have worked very hard. We will do as much as we can. It is a very good feeling.
“Thank you so much for sticking by me (to all the friends, relatives and well-wishers!). It is for them that I am standing here strong.
“Every single time, I am putting so much effort and you all made my life so easy. I would like to thank my coach Jaspal sir, my sponsors OGQ and my coaches.” Bhaker, who was in control for a major part of the one hour and 15 minute qualifying session on Saturday, maintained the same composure in the all-important final at the National Shooting Centre.
India last won an Olympic medal in shooting in 2012.
(with inputs from PTI)
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