TARGET IN SIGHT

Manu Bhaker's rise from Tokyo 2020's heartbreak to Paris 2024's triumph-making history by being the first Indian to win two Olympics medals in a single edition - showcases the spirit of a champion determined to rewrite her destiny

- TARUKA SRIVASTAV

A story of resilience, growth, and the relentless pursuit of excellence - that's been Manu Bhaker's journey, right from her debut in Tokyo 2020 to her unbelievable victory in Paris 2024. This summer, at just 22, Bhaker became the first Indian to win two Olympics medals at a single Olympics -edition since the Independence of India. Infact, her bronze medal in the women's 10 metre air pistol event made her the first Indian female shooter to ever win a medal at any Olympics, and shortly after, she won another bronze medal in the mixed 10 metre air pistol team event, where she was partnered up with fellow teammate, Sarabjot Singh.

Since she began her journey, she has faced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, and each experience has shaped her into the formidable athlete she is today.

At the Tokyo Olympics, where the country and Bhaker herself had high expectations, she fell short of a podium finish because of a technical snag in her pistol. "It took a toll on me and coping with it was very difficult, but I tried my best to keep myself motivated, and on my toes, always," she admits, reflecting on how the outcome affected her mentally and emotionally.

The weight of unmet expectations was heavy, but Bhaker was not one to succumb to the pressure.