Manu Bhaker clinches first medal for India at Paris Olympics 2024, wins bronze in women’s 10m air pistol

Manu Bhaker etched her name in Indian sporting history by clinching a bronze medal in the women’s 10m air pistol event at the Paris Olympics. Her triumph marked the end of a 12-year drought for India in Olympic shooting, and she became the first Indian woman to win a medal in the sport.

The journey from despair to glory was a remarkable one for the 22-year-old athlete. The Tokyo Olympics had been a traumatic experience, with a pistol malfunction shattering her dreams. However, she emerged from the ashes with renewed determination.

Qualifying for the final with a strong performance, Bhaker displayed nerves of steel in the high-pressure showdown. A nail-biting finish saw her narrowly miss out on silver, but the bronze medal was a testament to her resilience and skill. South Korea’s Oh Ye Jin claimed gold, setting a new Olympic record.

Bhaker's victory sparked a wave of congratulations from across the nation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed her achievement, calling it a ‘historic medal.’

He wrote, “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 1st woman to win a medal in shooting for India. An incredible achievement! #Cheer4Bharat.”

President of India Droupadi Murmu took to her X account to congratulate the athlete. She wrote, “Heartiest congratulations to Manu Bhaker for opening India’s medal tally with her bronze medal in the 10 metre air pistol shooting event at the Paris Olympics. She is the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal in a shooting competition. India is proud of Manu Bhaker. Her feat is going to inspire many sportspersons, especially women. I wish she scales greater heights of accomplishment in the future.”

Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra lauded her hard work and dedication. He took to X, writing, “Heartiest congratulations to Manu Bhaker for clinching the bronze medal in the air pistol event at Paris 2024! Your relentless dedication, hard work, and passion have truly paid off. It's incredible to witness your skill and determination, bringing pride to India with each shot. This achievement is a testament to your perseverance and determination. Keep shining, Manu!”

Bollywood celebrities, including Preity Zinta, Taapsee Pannu and Anil Kapoor also expressed their admiration for Bhaker's accomplishment.

Hailing from Goria, Jhajjar district, Haryana, Bhaker was a versatile athlete before discovering shooting. After the 2016 Rio Olympics, at the age of 14, a pivotal moment arrived for the athlete when she developed an interest in shooting and convinced her father to buy her a pistol.

Her meteoric rise began with a stunning victory over Olympian Heena Sidhu at the 2017 National Shooting Championships. International success followed swiftly, with gold medals at the ISSF World Cup in 2018, when she became the youngest Indian (16 years) to win a gold medal at the event, and Commonwealth Games (2018) where she clinched gold in women’s 10m Air Pistol.

Bhaker’s crowning glory came at the Youth Olympics where she became India’s first female Olympic gold medalist in shooting. Consistent performances in subsequent competitions established her as a top contender for the Tokyo Olympics. Bhaker is mentored by seasoned shooter Jaspal Rana.