At the tender age of 22, India’s star shooter Manu Bhaker has seen it all. She was the youngest ever Indian to win a gold medal in the ISSF World Cup back in 2018, but she also had to deal with massive disappointment after her pistol malfunctioned at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. At that time, ranked World No. 1, Bhaker failed to qualify for the final in the women’s 10m air pistol event and had to return home empty-handed. This setback has fueled her determination to make her mark at the Paris Olympics.
The journey hasn’t been easy for Manu Bhaker ever since she decided to pursue shooting as her career. Her mother, Sumedha Bhaker, revealed in an interview with India TV recently that she quit her full-time job to ensure her daughter could continually progress in her shooting career. Manu’s father, who served in the Merchant Navy, often had to be away from home for extended periods. Consequently, the entire responsibility of guiding and supporting Manu fell on her mother’s shoulders. Sumedha Bhaker’s sacrifices have played a critical role in Manu’s progress, making her one of India’s biggest hopes in the 21-member strong shooting contingent at the Paris Olympics.
Reflecting on the disappointment in Tokyo, Manu has put in unprecedented effort since then to be prepared for the Paris Olympics. Her mother shared that Manu would spend around 8-9 hours daily at the shooting range preparing for the Games. The shooter from Jhajjar, Haryana, also trained in Luxembourg along with the rest of the Indian shooting contingent and will be aiming to finally bring home a medal in shooting, a feat India has not achieved since the 2012 Olympics.
Manu Bhaker’s career has been decorated with several impressive achievements. To date, she has clinched a staggering 15 gold medals across various competitions. Her dominance in the World Cup is particularly noteworthy, with nine gold and two silver medals. Bhaker’s illustrious journey includes a gold medal at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires. Here’s a closer look at some of her major accomplishments.
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At the World Championships, Bhaker secured a gold medal in the 2023 Baiku in the 25m pistol team event, demonstrating her skill and precision. Additionally, she earned a silver medal in the 2022 Cairo event in the same category. Her prowess extends beyond the World Championships.
In the Asian Shooting Championships, Manu Bhaker won a gold medal in the 2019 Doha Games in the 10m air pistol event. She continued her winning streak by clinching another gold medal in the 10m air pistol mixed team event at the same games. These achievements significantly boost her confidence as she heads to Paris.
Her success is not limited to World Championships and Asian Shooting Championships. At the 2018 Commonwealth Games held in Goldcoast, Bhaker bagged a gold medal in the 10m air pistol event. This victory added another feather to her already impressive cap. Furthermore, at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires in 2018, she distinguished herself by winning a gold medal in the 10m air pistol event and a silver medal in the 10m air pistol mixed team event.
In Paris, Manu Bhaker will be eyeing a historic medal in shooting. Her campaign kicks off on July 27 in the 10m air rifle mixed team qualification round and continues with the 10m air pistol women’s qualification. These events will be crucial for her as she aims to redeem herself and bring glory to the nation after the Tokyo debacle.
Manu Bhaker’s journey from a young girl in Jhajjar to one of the world’s top shooters is a testament to her determination, resilience, and hard work. The sacrifices of her family, particularly her mother, have been instrumental in her journey. As she prepares to compete in Paris, the hopes of an entire nation rest on her shoulders. For Manu Bhaker, the Paris Olympics represent not just another opportunity to compete but a chance to rewrite her own story and etch her name in the annals of Indian sporting history. As the clock ticks down to the start of the Games, all eyes will be on her, hoping she can achieve the Olympic glory that has eluded her so far.
