Hailing from Haryana, a state renowned for producing exceptional athletes, Manu Bhaker’s journey in sports took a unique turn. Unlike many of her peers who excelled in boxing and wrestling, Manu explored various sports like tennis, skating, and boxing during her school years. Her true passion, however, lay in sports, which led her to master the martial art of ‘thang ta’, winning national-level medals.
Discovering Shooting
At the age of 14, shortly after the 2016 Rio Olympics, Manu Bhaker discovered her calling in shooting. Despite experimenting with different sports, she instantly felt at home with shooting. Within a week of her first encounter with the sport, Manu convinced her father to purchase a sport shooting pistol, marking the beginning of her professional shooting career. Her father, a steadfast supporter, readily obliged, setting the stage for Manu’s remarkable journey.
Rising Star in National and International Circuits
Manu Bhaker’s rise in shooting was swift and impressive. At the 2017 National Shooting Championships, she made headlines by defeating Olympian Heena Sidhu with a record score of 242.3 in the 10m Air Pistol category. This achievement not only put her at the top of the record books but also highlighted her as a formidable talent in shooting.
Her success continued at the 2017 Asian Junior Championships, where she won a silver medal. By 2018, Manu Bhaker made her debut at the International Sport Shooting Federation (ISSF) World Cup in Guadalajara, breaking the junior world record during the qualification round. At just 16, she became the youngest Indian to win a gold medal at an ISSF World Cup, further cementing her status as a rising star.
Historic Achievements and Setbacks
Manu’s achievements reached new heights at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia, where she set a new Games record to win gold in the women’s 10m Air Pistol. Her performance at the 2019 Munich ISSF World Cup, where she secured a fourth-place finish, earned her a spot at the Tokyo Olympics. Despite winning gold and silver medals at the 2021 New Delhi ISSF World Cup, a malfunction during the Tokyo Games prevented her from podium placement, despite topping the qualification round.
Aiming for Paris
Manu Bhaker’s journey has been one of perseverance and determination. With her sights set on the Paris Olympics 2024, she continues to strive for excellence. Her story is a testament to her unwavering commitment to the sport and her ambition to achieve Olympic success.
