Just 22 and already the most successful Indian woman shooter in history! Manu Bhaker talks about her grand wins, the importance of emotional connections, and of course, LA 2028.
By Nichola Marie
Young Manu Bhaker has been swiftly and consistently hitting the bullseye for a while now. Gold medals at the World Championships, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and Youth Olympic Games, and now a double Olympic bronze – this girl is on fire! She has not only become the most successful Indian woman shooter in history at a very young age but also the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal in shooting with a bronze at Paris 2024 in the women’s 10m air pistol event. Claiming another bronze in the 10m air pistol mixed team event with Sarabjot Singh, she became the first athlete from independent India to win two medals at the same edition of the Olympics.
Post these giddy highs, she is giving herself a welldeserved break right now, before throwing herself into her preparation for Olympic gold. As she tells us in this interview, this is just the beginning…
Excerpts from the interview…
Just 22, you are India’s first athlete to seal two medals in a single Olympics since Independence. Still feeling on top-ofthe-world? Did you sense beforehand that you would win?
The feeling after winning a medal for India is something that I will never forget. Representing India at the highest level, and standing on that podium is something I will cherish forever. We go into all events with the mindset of winning a medal and train accordingly. But the moment when we hold that medal, the emotions that we feel, is special.
Besides your double win, what other memories do you cherish from Olympics 2024?
Being India’s flagbearer at the closing ceremony is a memory I will cherish forever. Standing on the podium is one thing, but carrying India’s flag on a stage like the Olympics is a different feeling altogether.
You recently spoke of how your double win has brought new opportunities and responsibilities. What would some of these be?
My double win has definitely opened up a lot of new opportunities, especially for the sport of shooting. I’ve noticed more kids showing interest in taking up shooting, and parents are becoming more supportive of their children’s passion for sports. As for responsibilities, the biggest one is to stay true to my sport and inspire the next generation to follow their dreams with dedication.
What would you say are some of the factors that helped you make history by becoming the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal in shooting?
Staying calm and composed through my events was key. I took it one shot at a time, and that really helped me. One thing as a shooter that I have learnt is to remain patient, which is very important in crunch situations. I never let my guard down throughout my event and that took me through to the end.
A pistol malfunction had denied you a shot at a medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in the same event. How did you overcome any resultant fears from that episode?
There was no fear from that episode. It was unfortunate, but I learnt from those mistakes. Yes, it was a difficult period, but as I came closer to the Paris Olympics, I understood the mistakes that I made back then and worked on them instead. I knew I could not change the past, but the rest was in my hands, and I tried to make the most of it.
Born in 2002, in Jhajjar, Haryana, a state known for its boxers and wrestlers, how did your interest in sports grow?
I wanted to initially become a boxer, and loved to play tennis and skate as well. But when I was 14, I went to the shooting range for the first time and immediately fell in love with the sport. Since then, I have not looked back thanks to the support from my family, who made sure I was consistent, took me to training, and made sure that nothing was lacking.
What drew you to the sport of air pistol shooting in particular? What, in your opinion, is the beauty of this sport?
Air pistol is a unique sport that welcomes everyone, with no age or weight restrictions. At just 15 years, you can already compete in the senior category. This is what makes shooting an inclusive sport for all.
You were just 14 when you decided to focus on shooting. What was the journey like training in this sport? What sort of discipline did it demand from you over these years?
I tried my hand at shooting one day with a common pistol at school, and for around six months I was shooting with that only. When I instantly took a liking to it, I was lucky to have the support of my parents who immediately bought me my first pistol and since then, I worked on becoming the best. Even the support of my mother has been the strengthening pillar of my entire life and shooting career. I trained very hard to reach where I am right now, and a lot of it is down to maintaining a strict training regime. I am very content that all my hard work is paying off at the highest level.
At 15, you became one of the top female shooters in India, winning multiple gold medals at the 2017 National Games. To what do you credit this early success? Did you also find it challenging to handle the attention?
The support of my parents and my family, who backed me through everything and made sure that I was able to continue my training and participate in major competitions without any hassles. Also, my coaches, especially Jaspal sir, who made sure that I did not take any unnecessary pressure and performed to the best of my abilities. There are always challenges when performing at such a high level but I never thought about that. I only concentrated on giving my best whenever I could, and to make India proud with a medal.
Reuniting with coach Jaspal Rana in 2023, what part did he play in preparing you for Olympic glory?
Jaspal sir understood the potential that I had for a very long time. He kept me grounded throughout and I am very grateful to have had him with me in Paris throughout the Olympics. He put me on a rigorous training routine to match the standards of the Olympics and this helped me prepare for the Paris Games. Jaspal sir gave me a lot of courage to stay in the fight for the medal. He never let me doubt myself at any time.
Recently, you said that emotional connections are vital for an athlete’s well-being…
Emotional connections are vital for an athlete’s well-being as they offer essential support, helping manage stress, stay motivated, and maintain balance. Close relationships with family, friends, and teammates provide encouragement during challenges and celebrations during victories, fostering mental resilience crucial for peak performance.
You are currently on a three-month break, post the Olympics. What’s the plan for this period and what are you looking forward to doing or not doing?
I have many things in mind, but for now, I am planning to spend as much time as I can with my family. I want to learn different things to keep my mind fresh and when I feel physically and mentally ready, I will return to the shooting range. I will continue doing yoga and staying fit by going to the gym but before returning to the shooting range, I would like to freshen myself both physically and mentally.
What are some of the future goals you would wish to accomplish?
Only one – converting my medal from bronze to gold! I have four years to LA ’28 and that much time to practice, train and reach that level. This is just the beginning, and I really hope that I can continue in the same vein and make my country proud.
Did you know…?
It’s raining endorsements for the Olympian. More than 40 endorsement offers have come Manu Bhaker’s way since her big win. Her fees have gone up six to seven times from a reported ₹20- 25 lakh per endorsement. Recently, she was signed for a one-year endorsement deal of ₹1.5 crore with beverage maker Coca-Cola for its Thums Up cola product. Daughter of a marine engineer, she has also been appointed as the brand ambassador of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
A firm believer in karma, she credits the ‘Bhagavad Gita’ with transforming her into who she is. “One of the famous quotes is Krishna’s ‘Karma pe dhyan do, aur phal ke chinta mat karo’ (focus on the work but don’t worry about the reward),” she shared. This thought gave her the courage to give every shot her best and not to worry about the outcome.
Mary Kom and PV Sindhu are among her key inspirations, and she does not take lightly to trolls criticising them. She once created a fake profile on social media to defend Sindhu. “Some haters commented and I got so triggered that I made a fake account to defend her on that.” Sindhu responded on social media platform X, saying, “Haha what a sweetheart!!! Welcome to the 2 Olympic medal club Manu!! Way to go.”
