Manu Bhaker made history by winning an Olympic bronze medal in Paris on Sunday, July 28. The 22-year-old from Haryana became India’s first female shooter to win a medal at the Games, finishing third in the women’s 10m air pistol final at the Chateauroux Shooting Centre in the French capital. Three years after a series of heartbreaks in Tokyo, one of India’s most recognized and gifted shooters achieved her goal, bringing honor to the country.
First medal in Paris Olympics for India
Manu Bhaker opened India’s account at the Paris Olympics, breaking a 12-year drought without a medal in shooting. Manu became the sixth shooter to win an Olympic medal in shooting, joining Abhinav Bindra, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Vijay Kumar, and Gagan Narang.
Manu Bhaker began the final on Sunday full of confidence. When her name was called out at the shooting range, Manu managed to grin for the television cameras, much to the joy of the Indian audience.
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First Indian female shooter to win an Olympic medal
Manu got off to a good start, scoring 50.4 in the first five shots. Manu shot more than 10 times in the opening series. Manu’s total in the second set of five shots was 100.3, and she remained in the top three throughout the competition.
Manu Bhaker had almost quit last year
Manu Bhaker overcame disturbing memories of the Tokyo Olympics, where the Indian shooter failed to qualify for the finals in each of the three disciplines in which she competed. Manu even intended to give up shooting last year before rediscovering his passion for it. Manu was in good form leading up to the Games, and her experiences with highs and lows over the years turned her into the hungry shooter she was on Sunday.
