“Manu Bhaker ended India's 12-year-long wait to win an Olympics medal in shooting”

THIS WAS  INDIA’S OFFICIAL ENTRY:

India's entry into the Olympic Games began over a century ago, and it was a significant milestone not just for the nation but for Asia. In the 1900 Paris Olympics, India debuted with a solitary athlete, Norman Pritchard, who won two silver medals in athletics. This achievement marked India as the first Asian nation to win an Olympic medal, setting the stage for a legacy of sporting excellence.

And now we have jumped to 2024 and the entire nation is beaconing ONE fine NAME “Manu Bhaker”, the first-ever Indian Woman shooter to claim an Olympic medal.

MEET THE  SHOOTING STAR; From Haryana’s Heartland to Olympic Heights

In the world of Indian sports, where Haryana is renowned for its boxers and wrestlers, emerges a shooting star - Manu Bhaker. This young prodigy from the heartland of combat sports has blazed her own trail, leaving an indelible mark on the shooting range.

EARLY YEARS :

Manu Bhaker’s journey is as unique as it is inspiring. Before finding her true calling in shooting, she was a versatile athlete. From excelling in tennis and skating to clinching national titles in the martial art of thang ta, Manu's early years were marked by a remarkable breadth of talent. However, it was the allure of the Olympic Games that ultimately directed her path.

A LIFE-CHANGING MOMENT INSPIRED BY RIO 2016

The turning point came in 2016 during the Rio Olympics. Mesmerized by the precision and excitement of the shooting events, a then fourteen-year-old Manu felt an irresistible pull towards the sport. 

With a blend of determination and spontaneity, she persuaded her father to buy her a pistol. This decision set the stage for what would become a meteoric ascent in the world of shooting.

A STAR IS BORN

Manu's entry into shooting was nothing short of spectacular. Her talent quickly became evident as she clinched a stunning victory over seasoned Olympian Heena Sidhu at the national championships. This triumph was a seismic moment in Indian shooting, heralding the arrival of a new star. Manu’s relentless pursuit of excellence and her fearless attitude had officially put her on the map.

From that moment on, Manu Bhaker's rise in the sport has been nothing short of meteoric. 

BHAKER-THE BEGINNING

Manu Bhaker first achieved international success by winning a silver medal at the 2017 Asian Junior Championships. During the 2017 National Games in Kerala, she claimed nine gold medals and broke Heena Sidhu's record by scoring 242.3 points, surpassing Sidhu's 240.8 points.

At the 2018 ISSF World Cup in Guadalajara, Mexico, Bhaker won gold in the Women's 10-metre air pistol event, defeating two-time champion Alejandra Zavala with a score of 237.5 to Zavala's 237.1. At 16, she became the youngest Indian to win a World Cup gold.

In the 2018 Commonwealth Games, Bhaker scored 388/400 in the women's 10m air pistol qualifying round and won the final with a new record of 240.9 points. 

In 2022, Bhaker won the team gold for India in the women's 25m pistol event at the Asian Games with Esha Singh and Rhythm Sangwan

Manu Bhaker, aged 22, made history by winning a bronze medal in the women’s 10m air pistol event at the Paris Olympics 2024, marking the first time an Indian woman shooter has won an Olympic medal. Bhaker has previously won 15 golds, 3 silvers, and 1 bronze in her career. At the same Olympics, she and Sarabjot Singh advanced to the 10m air pistol mixed team bronze medal match by finishing third in the qualification with a score of 580. Rifle shooter Ramita Jindal narrowly missed out on a medal. Only the top four pairs from the pistol mixed team qualification round advance to the medal matches, with the top two competing for gold and silver, and the third fourth competing for bronze.

Each medal won and every record broken is not just a personal victory but a beacon of hope and pride for an entire nation. As we celebrate these remarkable achievements, let us remember that the true essence of the Olympics lies in the pursuit of excellence, the courage to push beyond limits, and the unwavering belief that greatness lies within us all.

Here's to the champions of today and the trailblazers of tomorrow, who inspire us to dream bigger, strive harder, and reach higher.