Manu Bhaker scripts history as first Indian to win double Olympic shooting medal in Paris 2024

Digital Desk: Manu Bhaker has etched her name into the sports folklore of India by becoming the first female athlete to win two medals in a single edition of the Olympics. On July 30, Tuesday, Bhaker secured a bronze medal in the 10m air pistol mixed team event, adding to her earlier triumph in the women's 10m air pistol event. This remarkable achievement also broke a 12-year drought for India in shooting at the Olympics.

Bhaker, alongside her shooting partner Sarbajot Singh, faced Korea's Wonho Lee and Jin Ye Oh in a gripping contest to bring India its second medal of the 2024 Olympics. The duo delivered a dominant performance at the shooting range, securing the win with a scoreline of 16-10.

The match began with a shaky start for India as Korea took the first round with a score of 20.5 to 18.8. However, Bhaker and Singh quickly rebounded in the second round, with Bhaker hitting an impressive 10.7 and Singh following closely with a 10.5, while Korea managed only 19.9. This strong comeback set the tone for the remainder of the contest.

In the third round, both Indian shooters hit 10.4 each, outperforming Korea's 19.8 and extending their lead to 6-2. Bhaker’s consistency was evident as she consistently scored above 10 in her first four shots. Despite a minor slip by Singh with a 9.6, Bhaker's 10.5 secured another round win for India as Korea scored 19.5.

Though Korea managed to pull one round back, Bhaker and Singh quickly extended their lead to 10-4. Korea responded by winning the next round, narrowing the gap. However, India soon found themselves on the brink of victory with a 12-6 lead. Korea made a final push, reducing the lead to 14-8 and then winning another series by a margin of 0.2, but Bhaker and Singh's 19.6 in the final round clinched the medal for India.

This victory places Bhaker alongside Norman Pritchard, who had previously won two medals in the 1900 Olympics, making her only the second Indian to achieve this feat. Bhaker’s stellar performance has not only brought glory to India but has also set high expectations for her upcoming events, particularly the 25m pistol event, where she is a strong medal prospect.

As India celebrates this historic achievement, Bhaker's journey continues to inspire a new generation of athletes, showcasing the heights that dedication and skill can reach on the world stage.