Manu Bhaker’s Historic Bronze Opens India’s Medal Hunt at Paris Olympics

At the Paris 2024 Olympics, 22-year-old Manu Bhaker has etched her name into the annals of Indian sports history. Competing in the women’s 10m air pistol event, she became the first Indian woman shooter to win an Olympic medal, securing a bronze and setting the stage for India’s medal campaign at the Games.

Triumph Over Adversity

This triumph comes three years after a heart-wrenching performance at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where Manu finished without a medal in all three events she participated in. The tears she shed at Chateauroux on Sunday were tears of joy and redemption. Her bronze medal is not just a personal victory but a significant milestone for Indian shooting.

Manu entered the final in third place and maintained her position with remarkable composure. Out of the 22 shots she fired, only seven were outside the ‘10’ ring. Her consistent performance kept her in medal contention throughout the event. She was poised for silver until the final shot when South Korea’s Kim Yeji edged her out by a mere 0.1 point, taking the silver, while another South Korean, Ye Jin Oh, clinched the gold.

Steadying Nerves and Rising Above

During the tense moments of the finals, Manu faced a critical juncture. Consecutive scores of 9.6 in her eighth and ninth shots saw her slip from the medal bracket to fourth place, trailing behind Vietnam’s Thu Vinh Trinh. In search of reassurance, she glanced at her coach, Jaspal Rana, who silently conveyed confidence through a simple gesture. This moment of connection helped Manu refocus and regain her composure.

Manu’s next shot, a 10.3, catapulted her back into the medal position. From then on, she held her nerve while others faltered. Competitors like Veronica Major, Tarhan Sevval Ilayda, Jiang Ranxin, and Li Xue gradually exited the contest, unable to match Manu’s resilience. Thu Vinh Trinh eventually bowed out, leaving Manu in a strong position.

Heading into the final shot, Manu was in the silver medal position, leading by 0.1 points. However, Kim Yeji’s impressive 10.5 shot narrowly pushed Manu to bronze. Despite this, her performance was a testament to her growth and determination since Tokyo.

A Strong Support System

Manu’s success is closely tied to her coach, Jaspal Rana, a former Olympian and a pivotal figure in Indian shooting. Rana, who has been guiding Manu since her international debut in 2018, has seen her through highs and lows. After her bronze win, Rana modestly stepped back, attributing the achievement entirely to Manu’s hard work and focus.

Following her medal ceremony, Manu didn’t rest on her laurels. She returned to the practice halls to prepare for her next challenges in the 10m pistol mixed team and the 25m pistol events. Rana, confident in her abilities, believes she has the potential to secure more medals.

Manu Bhaker’s journey from the disappointment of Tokyo to the podium in Paris is an inspiring story of resilience and redemption. Her bronze medal not only opens India’s medal tally at the Paris 2024 Olympics but also confirms the indomitable spirit of Indian athletes. As she continues to compete, Manu remains a beacon of hope and determination, embodying the aspirations of a nation.