Manu Bhaker became the first Indian woman shooter to win an Olympic medal, claiming bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol event at the Paris Olympics on Sunday. She narrowly missed out on the silver, finishing just 0.1 points behind South Korea’s Kim Yeji, who took the silver. The gold medal was won by Kim’s compatriot Oh Ye Jin.
Three years after her Tokyo Olympics disappointment due to a pistol malfunction, the 22-year-old Bhaker demonstrated resilience and skill, securing her place on the podium. This achievement makes her only the fifth Indian shooter to win an Olympic medal and adds to her impressive tally of nine World Cup medals.
On the first day of the Paris Olympics, Bhaker finished third in the women’s 10m air pistol qualification round with a score of 580. She also achieved the highest number of perfect scores (27) in the qualification, comfortably advancing to the final.
In doing so, Bhaker became the first Indian woman shooter in 20 years to reach an Olympic final in an individual event, following in the footsteps of Suma Shirur, who reached the final of the 10m air rifle event at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
Moreover, Bhaker’s qualification for the 10m air pistol women’s final round marks another first for Indian women shooters, showcasing her trailblazing role in the sport.
This historic achievement by Bhaker not only highlights her exceptional talent and dedication but also marks a significant milestone for Indian shooting sports, inspiring future generations of athletes.
Stay updated with more news on India’s journey at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
