[Watch] PM Modi congratulates Manu Bhaker on call after winning bronze medal at Paris Olympics 2024
Manu Bhaker created history yesterday (July 28) when she won the bronze medal in 10m air pistol event at the Paris Olympics 2024. She became the fifth Indian shooter to win a medal and also the first Indian woman to achieve such a feat. The 22-year-old shooter registered 221.7 points in total and was just behind South Koreans Kim Ye-Ji and Oh Ye-jin, who won the silver and gold medals, respectively.
Nonetheless, she received appreciation for her herculean effort and heroics from all over the country. Even the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi congratulated her through his social media account. He wrote on X:
"A historic medal! Well done, Manu Bhaker, for winning India’s FIRST medal at Paris Olympics 2024! Congrats for the Bronze. This success is even more special as she becomes the 1st woman to win a medal in shooting for India. An incredible achievement!"
Moreover, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi also congratulated Manu Bhaker and when she asked how he is doing, the Prime Minister said after hearing about her success that he is feeling very happy.
You can watch the interaction here:
On July 27, when she qualified for the final, she had already brought India's 20-year wait to an end. Prior to her, the only woman to go past the qualification stages was Suma Shirur who achieved the feat back in the 2004 Athens Olympics. Bhaker wrote on her X account:
"Winning this medal is a dream come true, not just for me but for everyone who has supported me. I am deeply grateful to the NRAI, SAI, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Coach Jaspal Rana sir, Haryana government and OGQ. I dedicate this victory to my country for their incredible support and love."
India's Day 3 performance at the Paris Olympics 2024
Day 3 hasn't yet yielded any medals for India. Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty's game against Mark Lamsfuss and Marvin Seidel has been cancelled after the Germans pulled out of the Games. On the other hand, the women's doubles duo of Tanisha Crasto and Ashwini Ponnappa lost out to Japan's Chiharu Shida and Nami Matsuyama 21-11, 21-12.
Ramita Jindal had her final in the women's 10m air rifle event but she ended with 145.3 points, getting eliminated midway and ending her campaign on the seventh spot. The mixed team for 10m air pistol comprising Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh earned 580 points today and will compete in the bronze medal match tomorrow against mighty South Korea.