New Delhi: Manu Bhaker made history by winning an Olympic bronze medal in Paris on Sunday, July 28. The 22-year-old shooter from Haryana became the first Indian female shooter to win a medal at the Olympic Games, securing the third position in the women's 10m air pistol final at the Chateauroux Shooting Centre in Paris. This achievement comes three years after a series of disappointments in Tokyo, marking a triumphant moment for one of India's most celebrated and talented shooters.
Manu Bhaker entered the final with immense confidence. As her name was announced at the shooting range, she managed to smile for the TV cameras, delighting the Indian supporters. Manu started strong, shooting a score of 50.4 in the first series of 5 shots, hitting above 10 points three times. In the second set of 5 shots, she increased her tally to 100.3 and remained in the top 3 throughout the competition.
Manu overcame the haunting memories of the Tokyo Olympics, where she failed to qualify for the finals in any of the three events she competed in. She even considered quitting shooting last year before rediscovering her passion for the sport. Her journey through highs and lows shaped her into the determined shooter who excelled in Paris.
Manu Bhaker finished third in the qualification round on Saturday, demonstrating her experience and ability to handle pressure. Both Manu and her coach, Jaspal Rana, appeared calm and composed leading up to the event. Rana, in an earlier conversation with India Today, expressed confidence in Manu's ability to perform on the grandest stage.
In her first Olympic Games in Tokyo, Manu competed in three events: the 10m air pistol, the 25m pistol, and the mixed team 10m pistol event. During the 10m air pistol qualification, she faced a pistol malfunction that caused a six-minute delay, affecting her concentration. This mishap impacted her performance in the subsequent events, leaving her without a medal despite being one of India's top hopes.
In Paris, Manu Bhaker's resilience and skill culminated in a historic bronze medal, bringing glory to the nation and inspiring future generations of Indian shooters.
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