Shooting star Manu Bhaker reveals after historic bronze medal at Paris 2024 Olympics

Professional shooter Manu Bhaker made history on Sunday by becoming the first Indian woman to win a medal at the Olympics after winning bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol event in Paris.

Bhaker finished third behind Korea’s Kim Yeji and compatriot Jin Ye Oh, who won the gold medal with an Olympic record of 243.2.

Bhaker revealed after the event that reading the Bhagwad Gita helped her stay calm in her final scenes.

“I read a lot of Gita, focus on your process, not the outcome, that’s what crossed my mind at the final moment,” Bhaker said on Jio Cinema.

Manu Bhaker in elite company

Bhaker’s effort ended India’s 12-year wait for an Olympic medal in shooting. She now joins an elite list of Indian shooters who have won an Olympic medal.

Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore (silver at 2004 Athens Olympics), Abhinav Bindra (gold at 2008 Beijing Olympics), Vijay Kumar (silver at 2012 London Olympics) and Gagan Narang (bronze at 2012 London Olympics) are the only other Indian shooters to have stood on the podium at the Olympics.

Bhaker’s journey to Paris 2024

The 22-year-old came third in the heats earlier today, becoming the first Indian woman in 20 years to reach an Olympic shooting final in an individual event since Suma Shirur’s incredible achievement in 2004.

Additionally, Manu made history by becoming the first Indian woman to qualify for the women’s 10m air pistol final at the Olympics.

His last Olympic race at Tokyo 2020 was a tough one, ending in tears after a pistol malfunction during the qualifiers.