Meet Manu Bhaker, first Indian woman shooter to win medal in Olympics

Manu Bhaker made history at the Paris Olympics by securing the Bronze Medal in the Women's 10m Air Pistol event. This achievement marks India's first medal at the Paris Olympics. 

Bhaker initially held the second spot after the first series, but slipped to third position after the second series. However, she quickly regained her momentum and solidified her position in second place with 131 points after 13 shots. Throughout the competition, Bhaker's ranking fluctuated between second and third place, ultimately securing the third position and clinching the Bronze Medal for India. She joins Vijay Kumar as only the second Indian to win a medal in the Pistol shooting discipline, following Kumar's Silver Medal win at the London 2012 Olympics.

Who is Manu Bhaker?

Manu Bhaker, a celebrated Indian sport shooter, has garnered global recognition for her exceptional prowess in pistol shooting. Born on February 18, 2002, in Jhajjar, Haryana, she has emerged as one of the most promising young athletes representing India in the field of shooting.

From a young age, Manu exhibited a strong interest in sports, exploring various disciplines such as boxing, tennis, and skating before ultimately discovering her passion for shooting. Her international debut occurred in 2017, where she quickly distinguished herself with outstanding performances. Manu's most notable achievement came at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, where she secured a gold medal in the 10m Air Pistol event, becoming the first Indian shooter to achieve this milestone at the Youth Olympics. Additionally, she has earned numerous medals at ISSF World Cup events, including gold medals in both individual and mixed team competitions.

At the young age of 16, Manu Bhaker achieved her first gold medal in the 10m Air Pistol event at the 2018 ISSF World Cup in Guadalajara. Her success continued at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia, where she once again secured a gold medal in the same event, establishing herself as a top shooter on the global stage.

Manu's partnership with fellow Indian shooter Abhishek Verma proved to be successful at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, where they together clinched a gold medal in the mixed team 10m Air Pistol event. 

On the domestic front, Manu has consistently demonstrated her exceptional talent by winning numerous titles and setting national records. As a representative of India at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics (postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic), Manu gained valuable experience, although she unfortunately did not secure a medal. Her remarkable contributions to Indian sports were acknowledged with the prestigious Arjuna Award in 2020.

Manu's unwavering dedication, exceptional talent, and remarkable achievements have solidified her position as a role model for aspiring shooters in India. As she continues to be a prominent figure in Indian shooting, many eagerly anticipate that she will achieve even greater heights in the future.

Also read| Manu Bhaker secures India's first medal in Paris Olympics 2024, wins bronze in 10m air pistol event