India's 22-year-old shooter Manu Bhaker came true to her immense promise, bagging the nation its first medal at Paris Olympic Games 2024 on Sunday (July 28). (Highlights | Full Olympics Coverage | More Sports News)
Bhaker shot a score of 221.7 to take home the bronze at the women's 10m air pistol event. This is India's first shooting medal in 12 years, as the last one was earned by current chef de mission Gagan Narang at London 2012.
Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore was the first Indian shooter to finish on the podium at the Olympics, as he bagged silver in the men's 25m rapid fire pistol category at 2004 Athens. Abhinav Bindra struck gold in men's 10m air rifle at 2008 Beijing, while Vijay Kumar (silver at men's 25m rapid fire pistol at 2012 London) and Narang (men's 10m air rifle bronze) are the latest entrant to the club.
With that, Bhaker also becomes the first Indian woman to have clinched an Olympic medal.
Korea's Kim Yeji claimed the silver with an aggregate of 241.3, while her compatriot Jin Ye Oh won the gold medal with an Olympic record of 243.2.
Bhaker's triumph is particularly special, considering what happened in the previous Olympics edition. The then 19-year-old had drawn a blank in Tokyo after her pistol malfunctioned during the qualification of the same event.
"After Tokyo I was very disappointed and it took me a very long time to overcome that. Frankly speaking, I really can't explain how good I am feeling today," Bhaker said with a wide smile on her face after the event.
"I was fighting with all the energy I have. Really grateful that I could win the bronze. I read Bhagwat Gita and always tried to do what I am supposed to do, left everything else to god.
"We can't fight destiny," added Bhaker, who is the world champion in the 25m pistol event.
