Manu Bhaker, who became the first markswoman from India to clinch a medal at the Olympics, was felicitated by Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya in New Delhi on August 8, a day after she landed in India to a rousing welcome. She was awarded a cash prize of ₹30 Lakh. More than 100 people gathered at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in the national capital to welcome the 22-year-old after her successful campaign at the Paris Olympics 2024. Manu, accompanied by her coach Jaspal Rana, was cheered with celebratory dhol, bouquets, and garlands. The pistol shooter also met Manu Bhaker met Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi hours after she arrived in the national capital. The sharpshooter from Jhajjar, Haryana, brought sheer joy to the entire nation after she won the bronze at the 10 m air pistol event, India’s first medal at the Paris Olympics.
Manu, who picked up a shooting gun at 14, has collected gold at the World Championships, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and Youth Olympic Games. She also holds the distinction of being the youngest Indian to win gold at the ISSF World Cup in 2018.
With her latest win, Bhaker has firmly gained her place in Indian sporting history. She became the first athlete from independent India to win multiple medals in a single edition of the Olympics. Manu’s score of 221.7 points earned her a well-deserved bronze. The gold was claimed by South Korea’s Ye Jin, who set a new Olympic record with 243.2 points, while her compatriot Kim Yeji grabbed the silver with 241.3 points.
In a double bonanza for India, Manu teamed up with Sarabjot Singh to clinch the bronze in the mixed team 10m air pistol event, India’s first shooting team medal at the Games. Though she stumbled in the final stage of the 25m individual event, Manu emerged from the games with her head held high, becoming a true national icon.
This victory is especially sweet after the Tokyo 2020 mishap, where her pistol’s cocking lever broke during the event. With just 36 minutes to complete 44 shots, she had to run a cut-throat race with time to get her pistol fixed. Despite her best efforts, she managed 575 points, just shy of the 577 cut-off, leaving Tokyo with a heavy heart and a lighter medal count.
After her amazing performance at the Paris Olympics, it’s evident that Manu Bhaker is a force to be reckoned with. With her winning attitude, we can expect even more spectacular feats from her in the future. Manu will also have the honour of being India’s flag bearer at the closing ceremony of the games, a well-deserved credit.
A total of 117 Indian athletes are competing at the Paris Olympics which began on July 26 and will conclude on August 11, with a dynamic squad of 70 men and 47 women. India has racked up 37 Olympic medals till date, with a record-breaking seven medals at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, including a golden toss from Neeraj Chopra in men’s javelin. PV Sindhu shuttled her way to two medals in women’s singles badminton, and the men’s field hockey team grabbed a bronze, their first Olympic medal in 41 years since the 1980 Moscow gold. Tokyo 2020 was a game-changer, and Paris 2024 looks poised to be even better. So far, India have won three medals, all bronze, at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
After three medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics, it seems India might need a bigger medals cabinet!
With some gut-wrenching losses in badminton and wrestling, the nation’s hopes now ride high on athletics (javelin throw) and hockey bronze. Here’s to bringing home the gold, the glory, and maybe a few extra bragging rights!
