Paris Olympics: Shooter Manu Bhaker Wins India’s First Medal with Bronze in Air Pistol

In Chateauroux, Manu Bhaker etched her name in history as the first Indian woman shooter to secure an Olympic medal, clinching bronze in the 10m air pistol event at the Paris Games on Sunday. This triumph ended a 12-year medal drought for India's shooters since the 2012 London Olympics, where Vijay Kumar and Gagan Narang earned silver and bronze, respectively.

Bhaker, a 22-year-old from Jhajjar, Haryana, achieved a score of 221.7, marking a significant comeback after a disappointing Tokyo Olympics. Korea's Kim Yeji and Jin Ye Oh won silver and gold with scores of 241.3 and a Games record of 243.2, respectively.

Bhaker's journey to this moment was marked by resilience, particularly after her pistol malfunctioned in Tokyo, leading to a tearful exit. Reflecting on her achievement, she expressed immense gratitude, attributing her success to her unwavering dedication and faith, inspired by the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita. As the current world champion in the 25m pistol event, Bhaker's bronze not only opened India’s medal tally but also symbolized a new era of promise and potential for the nation’s shooting contingent.