Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded India's star shooter Manu Bhaker during a telephonic conversation after she secured India's first medal at the Paris Olympics 2024. Manu made history by becoming the first Indian female shooter to win an Olympic medal, claiming bronze in the women's 10m air pistol event at the Chateauroux Shooting Centre. In a closely contested event, Manu Bhaker narrowly missed the silver medal as South Korean shooters finished in the top two positions. PM Modi commended Manu for her resilience, noting her struggles due to a pistol malfunction at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, and praised her for overcoming that setback to achieve success in Paris.
PM Modi hails Manu Bhaker for coveted bronze in Paris Olympics
"Many Many congratulations Manu. After listening to the news of your victory, I am feeling very happy. You missed the silver medal by 1 point, but you still made India very proud and you are deserving of two credits. Apart from bringing home the bronze, you are the first Indian woman to bring home a medal from the Olympics," PM Modi said during a telephonic interaction with Manu Bhaker.
"I am sending my best wishes to you, but your rifle/pistol betrayed you during the Tokyo Olympics. But you made up for everything this time," he added.
Manu Bhaker's Olympic debut in Tokyo was marred by disaster when her pistol malfunctioned during the preliminary round, preventing her from reaching the final. The setback deeply impacted her, leading to a disappointing performance in all three events. On the brink of quitting the sport last year, she instead chose to persevere and reclaim her glory.
PM Urges Manu Bhaker to Aim Higher
Prime Minister Modi has encouraged Manu Bhaker to strive for more medals at the Tokyo Olympics, expressing confidence that her recent victory will boost her performance in upcoming events. Bhaker will next compete in the 25m pistol, her forte, and the mixed team 10m air pistol event with Sarabjot Singh at the Paris Olympics.
"I am fully sure that you will do even better in the upcoming events. if the beginning is this good, it will only increase your confidence and that will make your country more proud. I have also tried my best to manage the best arrangements for all of you athletes out there," he concluded.
Manu Bhaker joined an elite group of Indian shooters, including Abhinav Bindra, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Vijay Kumar, and Gagan Narang, by clinching an Olympic medal. Her victory also ended a 12-year drought in Olympic shooting medals for India.
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