Manu Bhaker Makes History with Bronze Medal in Women’s 10m Air Pistol at Paris Olympics
In a historic achievement, 22-year-old Manu Bhaker has secured the bronze medal in the women’s 10m air pistol event at the Paris Olympics. This milestone marks her as the first Indian woman shooter to win an Olympic medal. Bhaker finished just 0.1 points behind South Korea’s Kim Yeji, who claimed the silver medal.
The gold medal in the event was awarded to Oh Ye Jin, another competitor from South Korea. Bhaker’s journey to the podium began with a strong performance in the qualification rounds, where she placed third with a score of 580 points. Her advancement to the final is noteworthy as she is the first Indian woman shooter to reach an Olympic final in an individual event in two decades. The last instance of such a feat was in the 2004 Athens Olympics, when Suma Shirur reached the final of the 10m air rifle event but did not secure a medal.
This triumph is particularly poignant for Bhaker, who faced a disappointing exit from the Tokyo Olympics due to a malfunction in her pistol, preventing her from competing in the final event. Her bronze medal in Paris serves as a testament to her resilience and dedication, demonstrating that patience and perseverance can indeed lead to success.
With this victory, Bhaker joins the ranks of esteemed Indian shooters who have won Olympic medals: Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore (Silver, Men’s Double Trap, Athens 2004), Abhinav Bindra (Gold, Men’s 10m Air Rifle, Beijing 2008), Vijay Kumar (Silver, Men’s 25m Rapid Fire Pistol, London 2012), and Gagan Narang (Bronze, Men’s 10m Air Rifle, London 2012).
The country is abuzz with congratulations for Bhaker, with accolades pouring in from fans, celebrities, and political leaders alike, celebrating her historic achievement on the global stage.
