India’s Manu Bhaker has once again showcased her exceptional shooting prowess, securing a spot in the final of the women’s 25m pistol event at the Paris 2024 Olympics. With this qualification, she remains in contention for a historic third Olympic medal.
Bhaker finished second overall in the precision stage with a commendable score of 590-24x, demonstrating her consistent accuracy and composure under pressure. Her teammate, Esha Singh, unfortunately, could not replicate this performance, finishing 18th with a total of 581 points.
The 22-year-old Bhaker, already a two-time Olympic bronze medalist at these Games, is now eyeing an unprecedented third medal. Her strong performance in the precision stage places her in a prime position to achieve this remarkable feat.
Meanwhile, 19-year-old Esha Singh, competing in her first Olympics, displayed potential despite not advancing to the final. Her performance in the precision stage hinted at a promising future in the sport. The young shooter had previously made waves at the Asian Games, clinching one gold and two silver medals.
Both Bhaker and Singh carried the hopes of the nation as they entered the competition. While Bhaker has taken a significant step towards her medal aspirations, Singh will look to learn from this experience and build on her talent for future competitions.
In other Indian Olympic news, judoka Tulika Maan suffered a swift defeat in the women’s +78kg round of 32. She was outmatched by Cuba’s Idalys Ortiz, losing 0-10 in a match that lasted only 28 seconds. Maan will now compete in the repechage round.