In a moment that will be etched in Indian sports history, Manu Bhaker opened India's medal tally at the Paris Olympics 2024 by securing a bronze in the women's 10m air pistol event. The 22-year-old prodigy from Haryana not only lived up to her billing as one of India's biggest medal contenders but also became the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal in shooting. Her victory broke India's dry spell in Olympic shooting, following medal-less outings at both the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Games.

A Historic Feat

It took India just two days to capture their first medal at the Paris Olympics, thanks to Bhaker's remarkable performance. Competing with a score of 221.7 in the finals, Manu's journey to the podium was anything but straightforward. She finished fourth in the qualification round, narrowly making it to the finals. However, as the competition on the second day of the Olympics commenced, all eyes were on her. Despite stellar performances from PV Sindhu, Sreeja Akula, and Nikhat Zareen, it was Manu who ultimately elevated India's presence on the global stage, with the national flag soaring high in her honor.

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Redemption and Triumph

Manu's bronze medal win was a story of redemption and resilience. Three years ago, at the Tokyo Olympics, she experienced a heart-wrenching disappointment when a gun malfunction during the qualification round dashed her hopes of making it to the finals. Overcoming the emotional and psychological aftermath of that setback required immense patience and hard work. Yet, Bhaker's perseverance paid off in Paris, where she executed a near-flawless performance, narrowly missing the silver.

In the final five rounds, Manu came tantalizingly close to overtaking South Korea's Kim Yegi, firing a 10.3 to momentarily take the lead. However, a 10.5 by Yegi in the last shot nudged Bhaker to third place. Another South Korean, Oh Ye Jin, took gold with an Olympic record score of 243.2.

Early Years

Manu Bhaker's journey from a small town in Haryana to the Olympic podium proves her extraordinary talent and determination. Haryana is known for producing boxing and wrestling champions. However, Bhaker charted a different course, trading the boxing ring for the shooting range.

In her early years, Bhaker was a multi-faceted athlete, excelling in tennis, skating, and even the martial art of thang ta, where she won national accolades. However, it was the allure of the Olympics, sparked by the 2016 Rio Games, that directed her focus toward shooting. At just fourteen, she persuaded her father to buy her a pistol. That set the stage for her rapid rise in the sport.

Bhaker's breakout moment came when she defeated seasoned Olympian Heena Sidhu at the national championships, a victory that sent shockwaves through the shooting community. Her talent quickly gained international recognition, with notable performances at the Asian Junior Championships and the Asian Games. But it was her gold medal at the Youth Olympics that cemented her status as a shooting prodigy.

Under the mentorship of veteran marksman Jaspal Rana, Bhaker continued to dominate. Her exceptional showing at the Olympic Selection Trials secured her spot in the Indian shooting squad for Tokyo. Despite the heartbreak there, she returned stronger, culminating in her historic performance in Paris.

Bhaker's achievement also marks the first time an Indian woman has qualified for the 10m air pistol final at the Olympics. Her success follows the footsteps of previous Indian shooting medalists, including Gagan Narang and Vijay Kumar, who won medals at the London 2012 Games.

As she stood on the podium, the national anthem playing and the tricolor flying high, Manu Bhaker paved the way for future generations of Indian shooters to aim for the stars.