Who is Manu Bhaker, the first Indian woman to win a Bronze Medal in Shooting at the Olympics?

Manu Bhaker is a distinguished Indian sport shooter who recently made history by winning the bronze medal in the Women's 10-metre air pistol event at the 2024 Paris Olympics. This achievement marks the first time an Indian woman has won a medal in shooting at the Olympics, making her a trailblazer in the sport for her country.

Early life and quick rise to prominence

Born on February 18, 2002, in Goria village, Jhajjar district of Haryana, Manu Bhaker displayed an early talent in various sports, including boxing, tennis, and skating, before ultimately committing to shooting. Her father, Ram Kishan Bhaker, a Chief Engineer in the Merchant Navy, reportedly supported her initial training with a significant financial investment of Rs 1.5 lakhs.

Bhaker's career took off at a young age. At just 16, she won a gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, becoming the youngest Indian to achieve this feat. Her success continued with victories at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup, where she secured multiple gold medals over the years, including in the 10-metre air pistol and mixed team events.
At the 2018 ISSF World Cup in Guadalajara, Mexico, she clinched the gold in the Women's 10-metre air pistol event, becoming the youngest Indian to win a gold medal in this competition. That same year, she set a new Commonwealth Games record in the women's 10m air pistol event, scoring 240.9 points to secure the gold.

Her successes extended beyond individual events to team performances as well. Bhaker, alongside partners, has consistently excelled in mixed team events. For instance, she won multiple gold medals in the 10m air pistol mixed team events with different partners at various ISSF World Cups in 2019. Additionally, Bhaker's contributions were instrumental in winning the team gold for India in the women's 25m pistol team event at the 2022 Asian Games.

Despite heading to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics as a top medal prospect, Bhaker faced significant challenges, including a malfunction in her pistol, which impacted her performance. This experience, however, did not deter her. Instead, it became a pivotal learning moment that fueled her determination to excel in future competitions.

Triumph in Paris

At the Paris Olympics 2024, Manu Bhaker secured a historic bronze medal in the women's 10m air pistol event. This remarkable achievement not only marked India’s first medal at the 2024 Games but also made Bhaker the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal in shooting. She scored a total of 221.7 points, finishing behind South Korea's Oh Ye Jin, who set an Olympic record, and Kim Yeji, who claimed silver.
Bhaker's performance in Paris was a testament to her resilience and determination. Despite a challenging start, she maintained her composure and shot consistently high scores. Her journey to the bronze medal involved intense competition, particularly in the final rounds where she narrowly missed out on the silver but still secured her place on the podium, ending India’s 12-year drought in Olympic shooting medals.

Manu Bhaker's journey is a remarkable example of overcoming adversity and striving for excellence. With her historic Olympic medal, she has set a new benchmark for future generations of Indian shooters. Her story will undoubtedly inspire many young athletes to follow in her footsteps.