Manu Bhaker shoots India first medal at Olympics 2024

Manu Bhaker Makes History: First Indian Woman to Win an Olympic Shooting Medal

Manu Bhaker etched her name in the history books on Sunday, becoming the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal in shooting. The 22-year-old secured a bronze medal in the women's 10m air pistol event at the Paris Olympics, showcasing her exceptional talent and resilience.

Bhaker, who narrowly missed out on a medal in Tokyo after a pistol malfunction, bounced back in spectacular fashion. She finished just 0.1 behind Kim Yeji, who eventually claimed silver, in the nail-biting final. The gold medal went to Oh Ye Jin, her Korean compatriot.

The nine-time World Cup medalist, now the fifth Indian to win a medal in shooting, had a remarkable qualification round, finishing third with a score of 580. She also impressed with the highest number of perfect scores (27), securing her place in the final.

Bhaker's achievement is a testament to her dedication and skill. She became the first Indian woman to reach an Olympic final in an individual shooting event in 20 years, a feat last achieved by Suma Shirur in the 10m air rifle at the 2004 Athens Olympics. She also became the first Indian woman to qualify for the 10m air pistol women's final round at any Olympics.

This historic win is particularly significant as no Indian woman shooter had previously won an Olympic medal. The last medals for India in shooting came in 2012 London, where Gagan Narang (bronze in men's 10m air rifle) and Vijay Kumar (silver in men's 25m rapid fire pistol) brought home the glory. Narang is currently serving as the Indian contingent's Chef De Mission at the Paris Olympics.

Manu Bhaker's triumph is a testament to her unwavering dedication and the bright future of Indian shooting. Her historic achievement will inspire generations of athletes to come.