Three years ago, Manu Bhaker’s disappointment was India’s disappointment at the Tokyo Olympics. The image of her frustration, tears in her eyes, and the weight of missed opportunities pressing down on her, left an indelible mark on the collective memory of Indian sports enthusiasts. But at the Paris Olympics 2024, Manu has rewritten her narrative in a remarkable fashion. Manu Bhaker has become the first Indian woman shooter to get medal at the Paris Olympics.
Just a day after making history in Paris, Manu continued her stellar performance by qualifying for the bronze medal match in the 10m Air Pistol mixed team event, alongside her teammate Sarabjot Singh. The duo demonstrated exceptional skill and synergy, finishing third with a total of 580 points, including 20 perfect shots. They now face the Korean pair, Xue Li and Wonho Lee, who finished fourth with 579 points and 18 perfect shots, in the bronze medal match on Tuesday.
However, it was a different story for the second Indian team in the event. Rhythm Sangwan and Arjun Singh Cheema were eliminated after finishing in the 10th position, scoring 576 points with 14 perfect shots.
In the women’s 10m Air Rifle event, Ramita Jindal faced heartbreak. The 20-year-old, who showed promise by finishing fifth in the qualification round with a score of 631.5, was unable to maintain her momentum in the finals. Despite a strong start that saw her placed fourth in the eight-woman field, she ultimately finished seventh with a total score of 145.3 points. In a crucial shoot-off at Stage 2 of the final round, Ramita’s 10.5 was narrowly bested by her French opponent Oceanne Muller’s 10.8, ending her medal hopes.
Manu Bhaker‘s journey from the disappointment of Tokyo to the glory of Paris serves as an inspiration, not only to her fellow athletes but to the entire nation. As she gears up for the bronze medal match, the country watches with bated breath, hopeful for yet another defining moment in Indian sports history.
