Bhaker Breaks India's 12-Year Shooting Medal Drought at Olympics
In Short:
- Event: Women's 10m Air Pistol
- Medal: Bronze
- Previous Record: Last Olympic shooting medal for India was in 2012
- Comeback: Overcame Tokyo Olympics setback for a triumphant return
Manu Bhaker delivered a stellar performance to secure India’s first medal at the Paris Olympics, earning a historic bronze in the women's 10m air pistol event. This victory makes her the first Indian woman to clinch a shooting medal at the Olympics, breaking a 12-year hiatus for India in this sport. India's last Olympic shooting medals came in 2012 with Vijay Kumar’s silver and Gagan Narang’s bronze at the London Games.
The journey from disappointment to triumph over the past three years has been remarkable for Bhaker. A malfunction in her pistol during the Tokyo Olympics had led to a tearful exit, but in Paris, she turned that despair into a shining comeback. Her path from contemplating retirement to winning a bronze epitomizes the spirit of perseverance in sports.
Bhaker ranked third in the qualification rounds with a score of 580, securing her spot in the finals. She maintained her form, shooting 221.7 in the final to claim the bronze medal. She was close to securing the silver medal, leading South Korea's Kim Yeji by 0.1 points before the final shot. However, Kim’s 10.5 score surpassed Bhaker’s 10.3 in the last shot, pushing the Indian shooter to the third position.
South Korea's Oh Ye Jin claimed the gold medal, setting a new Olympic record with a score of 243.2, surpassing the previous record of 240.3.
Manu Bhaker’s Journey to Success
Manu Bhaker, from Jhajjar, Haryana, a state renowned for producing athletes, showed her talent in various sports such as tennis, skating, boxing, and martial arts from a young age. Inspired by the Rio Olympics in 2016, she discovered her passion for shooting and persuaded her father to buy her a sports pistol, beginning her incredible journey.
Her rapid ascent started in 2017 when she defeated Olympian Heena Sidhu to win the national shooting championship with a record score of 242.3 in the 10m Air Pistol final. Bhaker continued to excel on the international stage, winning a silver medal at the Asian Junior Championships and setting a Games Record at the 2018 Asian Games.
A significant milestone in her career was winning the gold medal at the 2018 Youth Olympics, making her the first Indian shooter and female athlete to achieve this feat in the women's 10m air pistol event. Under the guidance of coach Jaspal Rana, Bhaker further solidified her dominance by winning the Olympic Selection Trials T4 10m air pistol final.
Manu Bhaker's journey from the setbacks in Tokyo to her triumphant moment in Paris is a story of resilience and determination, marking a proud chapter in Indian sports history.