In a groundbreaking achievement at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Indian shooter Manu Bhaker clinched the bronze medal in the women’s 10m air pistol event. This victory marks her as the first Indian woman to win an Olympic shooting medal, adding a significant milestone to India’s sporting history.
Manu Bhaker delivered an impressive performance, scoring 221.7 points in the intense eight-woman final. Competing against world-class athletes, Manu maintained her composure and skill, finishing just behind South Korea’s Oh Ye Jin and Yeji Kim, who took gold and silver, respectively. Oh Ye Jin set a new Olympic record with a score of 243.2.
Starting strong, Manu held second place after the first series with a score of 50.4. Despite slipping to third in the second series, she reclaimed her position before narrowly missing out on the silver by 0.1 points. Reflecting on her achievement, she expressed gratitude, emphasizing the hard work and determination that led to her historic win.
This triumph is especially significant given Bhaker’s previous Olympic experience at Tokyo 2020, where a pistol malfunction hindered her performance. Her resilience and dedication have now been rewarded with a place in India’s Olympic legacy.
Other Highlights from Paris
In other events, Indian athletes showed promising performances. Arjun Babuta and Ramita Jindal advanced to their respective finals in shooting. In badminton, P.V. Sindhu and H.S. Prannoy secured wins in their singles matches. Boxer Nikhat Zareen progressed to the round of 16 in the women’s 50kg category.
Meanwhile, in table tennis, Sreeja Akula and Manika Batra advanced, while Sharath Kamal and Harmeet Desai faced early exits. Rower Balraj Panwar reached the quarterfinals in the men’s single sculls, showcasing India’s diverse talent at the Games.
Manu Bhaker’s bronze medal is a testament to her perseverance and skill, inspiring future generations of athletes. As India celebrates this historic achievement, the nation eagerly anticipates further successes from its athletes in the ongoing Paris Olympics.
Sources: Paris 2024, The Hindu
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