Indian shooter Manu Bhaker clinched the bronze medal in the Women’s 10m Air Pistol event at the Paris Olympics, marking a significant milestone for her career and Indian sports.
Bhaker’s path to the podium was filled with both obstacles and victories. Her performance at the Tokyo Olympics faced a setback due to a pistol malfunction, which could have derailed her goals. However, demonstrating remarkable resilience, she turned the setback into motivation, intensifying her training and refining her technique under the guidance of coach Jaspal Rana.
Her hard work led to a historic qualification for the final round in Paris, making her the first Indian woman to achieve this in two decades. The bronze medal she secured represents a historic first for an Indian woman in Olympic shooting.
Coach Jaspal Rana expressed his pride in Bhaker’s achievement, saying, “I’m really happy that all the hard work Manu put in over the years paid off, especially how she worked like a robot in the last year. It’s awesome that she’s the first to win a medal for the country. This is a proud moment for me,” acknowledging the countless hours of rigorous training and dedication that led to this historic win.
Bhaker’s score of 221.7 earned her third place, behind South Korea’s Ye Jin, who won gold with an Olympic record of 243.2 points, and Kim Yeji, who took silver with 241.3 points. Bhaker’s success is an inspiration for aspiring athletes across the country, showcasing that with unwavering commitment and perseverance, even the highest goals are achievable.
Manu Bhaker’s bronze medal at the Paris Olympics stands not only as a personal triumph but also as a testament to resilience, dedication, and a beacon of hope for the future of Indian sports.