In a gripping display of precision and poise, Indian shooters Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh captured India’s second bronze medal in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team event at the Paris Olympics 2024 on Day 4. Their outstanding performance not only won the hearts of fans back home but also earned admiration from a global audience, further cementing India’s burgeoning reputation in the shooting world.
The dynamic duo of Bhaker and Singh displayed extraordinary teamwork and composure. They took an early lead in the competition, going up 4-2 after the third series. By the fifth series, they had stretched their advantage to 8-2. A late push from the South Korean team, which brought the score to 10-6 after the eighth series, was not enough to edge out the Indian duo.
In the qualification round for the 10m Air Pistol mixed team event, Bhaker and Singh secured third place with a total of 580 points and 20 perfect shots. They faced the South Korean duo of Xue Li and Wonho Lee in the bronze medal match and triumphed with a score of 16-8.
This bronze marks a milestone for both shooters. For Sarabjot Singh, it is his first Olympic medal, a remarkable achievement for the young marksman. Manu Bhaker, on the other hand, has made history by becoming the first Indian woman to win multiple medals at a single Olympic Games. Manu Bhaker had already secured a bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol event, which was India’s first medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
India has a rich history of Olympic heroes, from KD Jadhav to Major Dhyan Chand, Karnam Malleswari to Abhinav Bindra, Saina Nehwal to Neeraj Chopra. Yet, none have managed to win multiple medals at a single Olympics, a feat Bhaker has achieved at just 22 years of age. And the story doesn’t end here, Manu Bhaker now has a shot at a hat-trick of medals when she competes in the 25m air rifle event.
