Indian shooter Manu Bhaker made history by winning a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics 2024 in the 10m air rifle event. This is India’s first medal in these Olympics, bringing immense pride and joy to the country.
Manu Bhaker, a young and talented shooter from India, has been a rising star in the sport. Her journey to the Olympics has been marked by dedication and hard work. On Saturday, she qualified for the finals by finishing in the top three, ensuring her place in the medal race. In the finals held on Sunday afternoon, Bhaker showcased her skills and composure to secure the bronze medal. Korean shooters dominated the event, winning the gold and silver medals.
The 10m air rifle final featured eight shooters. The final round began with two series of five shots each for every shooter, making a total of ten shots. Each shot had to be completed within 250 seconds. After every two shots, the shooter with the lowest score was eliminated until only the top two remained to contest for the gold and silver medals. Manu Bhaker started strong, initially holding the second position, but later slipped to the third spot. Despite fierce competition from the Korean shooters, who secured the first and second positions, Bhaker managed to hold on to the third position and clinch the bronze medal. This makes her the first Indian woman to win a medal in shooting at the Olympics.
Manu Bhaker’s achievement is particularly significant as she is the first Indian woman shooter in the last 20 years to reach the finals of an individual event at the Olympics. The last Indian woman to achieve this feat was Suma Shirur, who reached the finals of the 10m air rifle event at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
In the qualification round on Saturday, Bhaker finished third with a score of 580 points, securing her place in the finals. Another Indian shooter, Riddhima Sangwan, finished 15th with 573 points, thus ending her challenge. The top eight shooters from the qualification round advanced to the finals.
In the final moments of the competition, Bhaker’s performance assured India of a medal. The nation waited eagerly to see if it would be a silver or bronze. Ultimately, the 22-year-old Bhaker secured the bronze medal, marking a historic moment for Indian shooting sports.
Manu Bhaker’s journey to this achievement has been inspiring. From her early days in Jhajjar, Haryana, to becoming an Olympic medalist, her story is one of perseverance and excellence. She has previously won gold medals at the ISSF World Cup, Commonwealth Games, and the Youth Olympic Games. Her consistent performance and determination have made her a role model for aspiring athletes across India.
This bronze medal win at the Paris Olympics 2024 adds to Bhaker’s impressive list of accomplishments. Her success is a testament to her hard work and the support she has received from her coaches, family, and the sports community in India. As she continues to train and compete, there is no doubt that she will achieve even greater heights in the future.
