Tokyo 2020 Throwback: Reliving Manu Bhaker’s performance at Olympics 2020
Manu Bhaker had a memorable campaign at the Tokyo Olympics 2020 despite failing to make it to the medal round. The 22-year-old who specializes in 10 m air pistol events finished 12th with a score of 575-14x in the qualification round.
Bhaker made a strong start with a substantial score of 98 in her first series of 10 shots, which allowed her to be with the frontrunners at the Asaka Shooting Range.
Nevertheless, the 22-year-old faced setbacks due to a brief issue with her gun and she could score only 95, 94, and 95 in the second, third, and fourth series respectively.
She scored 98 in the fifth series and it provided a sigh of hope for her to qualify for the medal round. Unfortunately, in her last shot, she needed an inner 10 to force a shootoff for the eighth spot but failed to make it.
Manu Bhaker changes her fate at the Paris Olympics 2024
Three years after her Tokyo heartbreak, Manu Bhaker returned to the Paris Olympics 2024 leading the 21-member contingent. The young sensation turned the tables around and created history by becoming the first woman to win a medal in shooting at the Olympics.
Manu Bhaker ended 12-year drought for India in shooting by winning a bronze medal. India's last Olympic medals in shooting came in London in 2012, when Vijay Kumar won silver in rapid-fire pistol and Gagan Narang took bronze in 10m air rifle.
She secured her place in the final with a stellar qualifying score of 580-27x, finishing third out of 45 competitors.
In the final, Bhaker demonstrated remarkable consistency, never falling out of the top three. She finished with a score of 221.7, earning her a spot among the elite Indian shooters who have won Olympic medals, such as Abhinav Bindra, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Vijay Kumar, and Gagan Narang.
The gold medal was claimed by Korea’s Oh Ye Jin, who set a new Olympic record with a score of 243.2. Her compatriot, Kim Yeji, took the silver with a score of 241.3.
Bhaker and Kim had a tight contest for the second spot in the final elimination round. Bhaker’s final shots were strong, scoring 10.1 and 10.3, but Kim’s performance edged her out, securing the silver medal.