In 2023, I Was Thinking Of Another Career

In a largely lacklustre Olympic campaign in Paris, Manu Bhaker was one of the few bright spots for India.

- SALIL BERA AND NILADRY SARKAR

The 22-year-old shooter from Haryana’s Goria village made history by becoming the first Indian, after independence, to win two medals (both bronze) in a single edition of the Games. This was after she had become the de facto face of the shooting team’s failure at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago.

In an interview with THE WEEK, Bhaker talks about bouncing back from the debacle in Tokyo, as also how the Gita helped her, her love for bharatnatyam and her proficiency in Manipuri martial art Thang-Ta. Excerpts:

Q/ From heartbreak in Tokyo to creating history in Paris. How did you motivate yourself?

A/ After coming back from Tokyo, things were not easy at all. I was really disturbed. I decided I would take a break for nearly a month, but I just could not bring myself to do so. Within 20-odd days, I felt I could not be away from the sport. This is what I love to do and I will keep going with it. Eventually, things started to fall in place.

However, in 2022, I was part of the national shooting team and I was doing okay. But I was not enjoying the sport. It had become like a nine to five job; you go to the range and then the gym and then to sleep. I started to get bored. By 2023, I was [thinking of] trying a new career, maybe in studies or something else. Then finally, when I started to work with Jaspal [Rana] sir again, that was the aar ya par [do or die] time.

That is when I decided I am going to give everything I have for my sport. After that, I never had any doubt. Regardless of how my body was taking it and the mental pressure, I kept trying my best. There were several competitions where I could not win an individual medal. But, regardless, I was like, ‘I have to do it’, and it worked out really well for me.

Q/ Tell us about your equation with coach Rana.