India have so far won two medals at the Paris Olympics 2024, and both have come in shooting. The common name in both the medals has been Manu Bhaker. The 22-year-old shooter opened India’s medal tally in Paris when she won the bronze medal in the women’s 10m air pistol category. She then won her second medal alongside Sarabjot Singh in the 10m air pistol mixed team category as the duo clinched the bronze. However, Bhaker’s campaign at the Paris Olympics does not end here.
Manu Bhaker will compete in her third event at the Paris Olympics when she enters the shooting arena to take part in the women’s 25m air pistol event. Hence, she has a chance to create history and became the first Indian woman to win three medals at the Olympics, and the most successful athlete in individual sports for India in history.
The qualification round for the women’s 25m pistol category will take place on Day 7 of the Olympics 2024 i.e on August 2. If Bhaker manages to finish in the top 8 in the qualification round, then she will qualify for the final of the event. The final of the event will take place on Saturday (August 3), and if Manu Bhaker manages to finish in the top three, she will win her third medal at the Paris Olympics 2024.
Bhaker is no pushover in the 25m category as well. She has won gold medals in the 25m pistol team events at the ISSF World Cup, Shooting World Championships and the Asian Games as well. She also won an individual bronze medal in women’s 25m at the 2023 ISSF World Cup. Hence, a medal in this event is more than likely for the star shooter.
Manu Bhaker is the first Indian female shooter to win an Olympic medal, and the first Indian after 124 years to win two medals in the same Olympics. The 22-year-old has now become the joint-most decorated Indian female athlete at the Olympic Games, as she joined PV Sindhu, who too has two Olympic medals to his name. She has also become the third Indian after Sindhu and wrestler Sushil Kumar to win multiple medals at the Olympics in individual sports.
Speaking to PTI after the mixed team bronze medal, Manu Bhaker said that she would try her best to win another medal and hoped that that the love that she has received from the country after her double bronze medal haul. She hoped that people don’t get disappointed if she does not manage to win a medal.
“I hope the love stays. I will definitely try my best. I hope people are not disappointed or angry,” Bhaker said.
