Triumph in 10m Air Pistol Event
Manu Bhaker etched her name in history by securing a bronze medal in the women’s 10m air pistol event at the Paris Olympics 2024. This remarkable achievement marks India’s first medal at the Paris Games and makes Manu the first Indian woman shooter to win an Olympic medal. In a nail-biting finale, Bhaker narrowly missed the silver, finishing just 0.1 points behind South Korea’s Kim Yeji. Another Korean, Oh Ye Jin, claimed the gold medal.
Redemption After Tokyo Disappointment
The bronze medal is particularly significant for the 22-year-old Bhaker, whose Tokyo Olympics journey was marred by a pistol malfunction. Overcoming that setback, she demonstrated resilience and determination to excel in Paris. Bhaker, a nine-time World Cup medallist, became the fifth Indian shooter to win an Olympic medal, further cementing her status as a top contender in her sport.
Dominant Performance in Qualifiers
Bhaker’s journey to the podium began with a stellar performance in the qualification rounds. She finished third with a score of 580, achieving the highest number of Perfect Scores (27) among her competitors. This impressive feat not only secured her a spot in the finals but also made her the first Indian woman shooter to reach an Olympic final in an individual event in two decades. The last Indian woman to achieve this was Suma Shirur in the 10m air rifle event at the Athens Olympics in 2004.
Breaking Barriers for Indian Women in Shooting
Before Bhaker’s bronze, no Indian woman had ever won an Olympic medal in shooting. The last medals from the shooting range for India came at the London 2012 Olympics, where Gagan Narang won bronze in the men’s 10m air rifle and Vijay Kumar clinched silver in the men’s 25m rapid fire pistol. Bhaker’s historic win not only ended India’s 12-year Olympic medal drought in shooting but also set a new benchmark for future generations of Indian women shooters.
National Recognition and Celebrations
Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally congratulated Bhaker on her achievement, underscoring the nation’s pride in her success. In a phone call, Modi praised her for overcoming the narrow margin that cost her the silver and highlighted her resilience after the Tokyo Olympics disappointment. He expressed confidence in her future performances and inquired about the support she received from her family and the facilities available to Indian athletes in Paris.
Social Media Buzz
Earlier, PM Modi took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to celebrate Bhaker’s victory. His post read, “A historic medal! Well done, @realmanubhaker, for winning India’s FIRST medal at #ParisOlympics2024! Congrats for the Bronze. This success is even more special as she becomes the first woman to win a medal in shooting for India. An incredible achievement!” The post resonated widely, reflecting the collective pride and joy of the nation.
A Milestone Achievement
Manu Bhaker’s bronze medal finish, just 0.1 points shy of the silver medallist Kim Yeji and behind gold medallist Oh Ye Jin, is a testament to her skill and perseverance. This victory is a significant milestone, not just for Bhaker but for Indian sports, inspiring a new wave of athletes to pursue their Olympic dreams with dedication and confidence.
Personal Reflections and Future Aspirations
In her first reaction post-victory, Bhaker attributed her success to her unwavering belief in herself. Her journey from a disappointing Tokyo Olympics to a triumphant Paris Games is a story of determination, resilience, and relentless pursuit of excellence. Bhaker’s historic win is a beacon of hope and motivation for young athletes across India, proving that with hard work and self-belief, dreams can indeed come true.
Manu Bhaker’s achievement at the Paris Olympics 2024 will be remembered as a landmark moment in Indian sports history, setting the stage for future successes and inspiring countless young athletes to aim for the stars.
(With inputs from agencies)
