Incredible rise of Manu Bhaker: India’s shooting star eyes historic Olympic hat-trick

Chateauroux: Indian shooter Manu Bhaker is poised to achieve a historic hat-trick of Olympic medals after delivering a standout performance in her favourite event, the 25m sports pistol, at the Chateauroux shooting range on Friday. The 22-year-old, who has already made history by becoming the first Indian athlete to secure two bronze medals in a single Olympic Games, is now set to vie for a third medal on Saturday, a feat that seems well within her reach following her impressive showing in the qualification rounds.

Manu Bhaker, who has enjoyed a remarkable resurgence in form under the guidance of renowned coach Jaspal Rana, demonstrated exceptional skill and consistency throughout the qualification rounds. She finished in second place with a total score of 590, just behind Hungary's Veronika Major, who matched the Olympic record with a score of 592. Manu's performance in the qualification phase was characterised by her dominance, as she remained among the top three contenders throughout both the 'precision' and 'rapid' rounds.

In the 'precision' round, Manu excelled with a score of 294, achieved through three impressive series of 97, 98, and 99. Her performance in the 'rapid' round was equally outstanding, culminating in a perfect score of 100, followed by two scores of 98, which contributed to her aggregate of 296. Her overall qualification score underscores her formidable presence in the sport and sets her up as a strong contender for the final.

India’s Esha Singh, another promising shooter and multiple medallist at the Hangzhou Asian Games, faced a setback in Chateauroux. She finished 18th among 40 shooters with a total score of 581 (291 in precision and 290 in rapid), failing to make it into the top eight for the final round.

Manu Bhaker’s current campaign is a redemption arc following her challenging experience at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where a pistol malfunction derailed her quest for Olympic glory. The heartbreak of Tokyo has intensified the value she places on her current successes. She has expressed a deep appreciation for her medals, attributing her renewed focus and determination to overcoming past setbacks.

In addition to her remarkable individual achievements, Manu Bhaker has also been instrumental in India's shooting successes at the Paris Games. She won bronze in the 10m women’s air pistol and in the 10m air pistol mixed team event alongside Sarabjot Singh. Her performances have been widely acclaimed, with legendary cricketer Rahul Dravid praising her resilience and exceptional comeback. Dravid described Manu’s journey as "incredible" and commended her ability to bounce back from disappointment and secure her second Olympic bronze.

Manu Bhaker’s inspiring journey also highlights her admiration for other Indian sports stars like javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra and shuttler PV Sindhu, whom she looks up to for their proven success on the global stage. As the Games progress, the anticipation builds around her potential to add another medal to India's tally, which already includes two bronze medals by Bhaker and a bronze by Swapnil Kusale in the 50m rifle three-positions event.

With the final round of the 25m sports pistol event approaching, Manu Bhaker’s exceptional form and determination make her a strong candidate for further Olympic success. Her achievements in Paris continue to elevate her stature in the sport and inspire a nation of fans. PTI