A 19-year-old Olympian from Haryana, made history by securing a bronze medal in the women’s 10m air pistol event, Manu Bhaker ended a 12-year drought for India in Olympic shooting. Her victory is notable as she became the first Indian woman to earn a shooting medal at the Games. Bhaker’s journey to success involved overcoming setbacks, such as a gun malfunction at the Tokyo Olympics, which she navigated with resilience inspired by the Bhagavad Gita.
She is born into a Jat family, her father, Mr. Ram Kishan Bhaker, serves as a chief engineer in the Merchant Navy. Initially outclassed in various sports like boxing and skating, Manu discovered her passion for shooting at 14. Her father’s investment of Rs. 1,50,000 marked the beginning of her competitive journey. She won her first international medal, a silver, at the 2017 Asian Junior Championships. At the 2018 ISSF World Cup, she clinched gold, becoming the youngest Indian to win World Cup gold. Manu’s consistent performance continued as she qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and won team gold at the 2022 Asian Games. Her story is a testament to her dedication, resilience, and the support of her family.
