In a significant achievement for Indian sports, 22-year-old Manu Bhaker won a historic bronze medal in the women’s 10m air pistol event at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She is the first Indian woman shooter to earn this medal.
Career Highlights
Manu Bhaker’s career is highlighted by several major accomplishments:
- Youngest ISSF World Cup Gold Medallist: She became the youngest Indian to win a gold medal at the ISSF World Cup.
- Commonwealth Games Success: At just 16, she won gold in the women’s 10m air pistol event at her first Commonwealth Games in 2018.
- Asian Games Victory: In 2022, she, along with Esha Singh and Rhythm Sangwan, won gold at the Asian Games.
To date, Manu Bhaker has earned:
- 15 Gold Medals
- 3 Silver Medals
- 1 Bronze Medal
Tokyo Olympics Heartbreak
At the Tokyo Olympics, Manu Bhaker faced a setback. Her pistol malfunctioned, impacting her performance. Despite a strong start, she failed to qualify for the final due to this issue.
Early Life and Background
Manu Bhaker was born in Goria village in Haryana’s Jhajjar district. Her family, particularly her father, Ram Kishan Bhaker, a chief engineer in the Merchant Navy, has been very supportive. As a child, Manu excelled in various sports, including Manipuri martial arts, boxing, tennis, and skating, winning national awards before focusing on shooting.
About Paris Olympics 2024
- Event Dates and Historic Hosting: The Paris Olympics 2024 will take place from July 26 to August 11. This will be the third time Paris has hosted the Games, following the 1900 and 1924 Olympics.
- Sports and Venues: The Games will feature 32 sports across 32 venues, with some events taking place on the Seine River. Breakdancing will make its debut as an Olympic sport.
- Sustainability and Opening Ceremony: The organizers aim to ensure 95% of the venues are sustainable. The opening ceremony will be a unique riverside parade with 160 boats, and around 10,500 athletes are expected to participate.
