Indian star shooter Manu Bhaker created history at the Paris Olympics in 2024 by becoming India's first female shooter to win a medal in the history of the Olympics. This was India's first medal in shooting after 12 years. She clinched the bronze medal with a score of 221.7 whereas Korea's Kim Yeji claimed the silver with a total of 241.3 while her compatriot Jin Ye Oh bagged the gold with a Games record of 243.2.
India won the last medal in the shooting during the London Olympics 2012 where Vijay Kumar and 10m air rifle marksman Gagan Narang clinched silver and bronze respectively. Narang is the chef de mission of the Paris contingent right now.
Manu Bhaker ‘s last edition’s Tokyo campaign had ended in tears after her pistol malfunctioned during the qualification of the same event. After clinching the bronze medal in Paris she revealed that it was her religious side that helped her to believe again.
“I think after Tokyo I was very disappointed. I didn't understand what I did wrong or what I didn't do. And what should I do next. So after that, the year of 2022 wasn't very good for me. I was in the team, doing well. Medals were also coming but I wasn't happy from inside. And in 2023, I started again with Mr. Jaspal (her coach). So after that, I lifted my religious side a little bit up and they started to make me believe. From there my confidence started to come back. So I think... Yes” said Manu Bhaker in an exclusive conversation with Sports Tak.
“I believe in it and read it a lot. I think that the relevance of Bhagavad Gita is still there in our times. I am surprised that even today, if we read the ancient things carefully, we can still use them in our daily life” Bhaker added.
While asked about her plans in the upcoming events of the marquee event, the star responded that nobody knows the result but she will try her best to clinch another medal in the ongoing event in her upcoming events.
"I can't say anything about the results. No one knows what the outcome will be. I can only try to perform well and put in good efforts. I will definitely try my best" Manu Bhaker concluded.
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