Wednesday, 30 October 2024
Wednesday, 30 October 2024
Four years back, the deafening silence of the Asaka Shooting Range in Tokyo was pierced by the sound of a malfunctioning pistol and the muffled sobs of a shattered dream. On that fateful day in July 2021, Manu Bhaker, then 19, watched helplessly as her Olympic debut crumbled before her eyes. Fast forward to Paris 2024, and the world saw a phoenix rising from the ashes of disappointment.
Manu Bhaker, now 22, has stood tall on the Olympic podium, not once but twice already, rewriting the history of Indian shooting.
This is the story of a young woman who faced adversity head-on, made tough choices, and emerged as India's most decorated female shooter.
From martial arts to marksmanship
In the heart of Haryana, a state renowned for producing boxers and wrestlers, Manu Bhaker's journey began on an unconventional path.
Born on February 18, 2002, in Jhajjar, young Manu dabbled in various sports - tennis, skating, and even boxing. Her versatility shone through as she clinched the national championship in Manipuri martial art tang-ta while in 8th grade.
Yet, it was a fortuitous decision in 2016, just after the Rio Olympics, that would alter the course of her life. At 14, Manu impulsively tried her hand at shooting and was instantly smitten. Within a week, she had convinced her father to purchase a sports pistol, unknowingly setting the stage for a meteoric rise.
The prodigy emerges
Manu's ascent in the shooting world was nothing short of phenomenal. In 2018, barely two years after first holding a pistol, she became the youngest Indian to win gold at the ISSF World Cup where the teenager from Jhajjar outperformed seasoned professionals.
It was the beginning of a record-breaking spree. That same year, she clinched gold in her maiden Commonwealth Games appearance, setting a new Games record. The icing on the cake came in October when she became the first Indian shooter to win gold at the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires.
At 16, Manu Bhaker was no longer just a promising talent; she was a force to be reckoned with on the global stage.
Manu-Jaspal feud
The Manu Bhaker-Jaspal Rana saga is a compelling subplot in Indian shooting's recent history. Their partnership began just before the 2018 Commonwealth Games, where 16-year-old Manu clinched gold. Under Rana's guidance, Manu's star rose meteorically.
She paired with Saurabh Chaudhary to dominate the mixed team events, securing five consecutive World Cup golds in 2019. However, cracks soon appeared. Rana opposed Manu competing in three events at major tournaments, deeming it "too much for a young athlete”.
Manu disagreed. Tensions escalated when Rana praised rising shooter Chinki Yadav.
The break point came at the 2021 New Delhi World Cup. After Chinki won gold ahead of Manu's bronze, Rana went around wearing a T-shirt with Manu's mother's message: "Mil Gayi Khusi na... Congratulations to you... and Apko aur Abhishek ko apna ego Mubarrak."
This public display shocked onlookers. Post-Tokyo Olympics, where Manu’s struggle continued , NRAI president Raninder Singh called Rana the "only negative factor" in the team.
Manu blamed Rana for "ignoring her." The federation attempted reconciliation, but the coach-pupil split seemed irreparable.
Tokyo Olympics: A dream derailed
The 2021 Tokyo Olympics were meant to be Manu's crowning glory. Instead, they became a harsh lesson in the vagaries of sport.
In the women's 10m air pistol event, Manu was well-positioned to qualify for the finals. Disaster struck when a lever in her pistol broke, costing her precious minutes. Despite the setback, she rallied, but fell agonisingly short by just two points.
The disappointment was palpable, not just for Manu but for a nation that had pinned its hopes on her young shoulders. The incident sparked debates about equipment management and the pressure on young athletes, overshadowing what should have been a celebration of her journey to the Olympics.
The aftermath and introspection
In the wake of the Tokyo disappointment, Indian shooting faced a reckoning. The Manu-Jaspal saga became a focal point of discussions about the sport's future.
The shooting community was divided, with some backing the young shooter and others defending the experienced coach. Amid the controversy, Manu's performances suffered.
She later reflected: "I was losing everywhere in 2021. Entire 2022, I was struggling. And it continued in the first half of 2023."
It was a period of intense introspection for the young shooter.
The unexpected reconciliation
In a twist that surprised many, Manu reached out to Jaspal Rana in a brief but pivotal phone call in 2023. Setting aside ego and past grievances, she sought his guidance once again. This decision, against the advice of many in her inner circle, proved to be a turning point.
Rana, who had been ostracised within the shooting community, found redemption in Manu's call. "He lets me be happy," Manu later said. "You'll never see me sulking anymore. And so, the matches would also go well."
This reunion set the stage for Manu's resurgence.
The road to Paris
With her partnership with Rana renewed, Manu's fortunes began to turn. The 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou provided the first glimpse of her resurgence. She secured gold in the 25m pistol team event and added an individual bronze, signaling her return to form.
These performances were crucial in rebuilding her confidence and silencing doubters. As the Paris Olympics approached, Manu's preparations intensified. The lessons from Tokyo, both technical and mental, were internalised. This time, she was not just a prodigy with potential; she was a battle-hardened athlete with a point to prove.
Paris 2024: Redemption begins
On July 28, 2024, Manu Bhaker stepped onto the range at the Paris Olympics, carrying the weight of expectation and the scars of Tokyo. In a performance that showcased both skill and mental fortitude, she clinched bronze in the women's 10m air pistol event.
This wasn't just a medal; it was a statement. Manu Bhaker had become the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal in shooting, breaking a 12-year medal drought for India in the sport.
As she stood on the podium, the journey from the heartbreak of Tokyo to the triumph of Paris was complete. Yet, this was just the beginning of what would be a historic Olympics for Manu.
Double glory in Paris
Just two days after her individual bronze, Manu etched her name deeper into the annals of Indian Olympic history. Partnering with Sarabjot Singh in the 10m air pistol mixed team event, she clinched another bronze medal. This achievement was unprecedented - Manu became the first Indian woman to win multiple medals in a single Olympic Games and the first Indian since Independence to do so.
The significance of this feat was not lost on anyone; she had surpassed even the legendary P.V. Sindhu's record. As the Indian flag was raised twice for Manu in Paris, it symbolised not just personal triumph but a new era in Indian shooting.
Manu Bhaker: The controversies
Manu Bhaker’s path to Olympics history has had its share of controversy.
In October 2018, when she became the first Indian shooter to win gold at the Youth Olympics, Haryana sports minister Anil Vij promised a Rs 2-crore reward.
Three months later, Bhaker publicly questioned Vij on social media. Vij responded by demanding an apology and accusing Bhaker of lacking discipline.
After Manu won her first bronze in the Paris Olympics, Union minister Mansukh Mandaviya disclosed that around ₹2 crore had been invested in Bhaker’s training, including stints in Germany and Switzerland and financial support for her preferred coach.
But enough of the past, here’s to the future.
