Paris Olympics 2024 “Don’t Be Angry If…”: At just 22, Manu Bhaker has already cemented her place as one of India’s greatest athletes by securing two medals in the same Olympics. As she approaches her third and final event at the Paris Games, she has a humble request for her supporters: “Don’t be angry if I can’t add another one.”
Bhaker, the first athlete in independent India to win two medals in a single Olympics, will compete in the 25m sports pistol qualifications on August 2. So far, she has claimed bronze medals in the women’s 10m air pistol and the mixed 10m air pistol events.
“I hope the love stays. Please don’t be angry if I don’t win another medal,” she said, expressing a common concern among elite athletes despite her remarkable achievements at Chateauroux’s shooting range.
Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh, who is also 22, effortlessly overcame the Korean challenge in the mixed team event on Tuesday.
“The feeling is surreal because I hadn’t hoped I’d win two medals in a single Olympics,” said the history-making shooter from Haryana’s Jhajjar. “There is one more match to go (in 25m sports pistol). So, I am looking forward to the next one, but I am grateful that I got another medal for India.”
She emphasized that every Indian athlete’s dream is to win an Olympic medal, and she aspires to achieve as much success as possible at the Games.
“This (bronze medal today) is part of the dream; one part is in the bag and the other one is with me here. An athlete, when they play for India, dreams of winning a medal at the Olympics. That was my dream as well. I want to win as many medals as possible in the Olympics,” she said.
Bhaker’s performance at Paris follows a disappointing campaign at the Tokyo Games in 2021, where a pistol malfunction thwarted her Olympic dream. She shared that the heartbreak made her value the medals she has won even more.
“After the experience in Tokyo, I realize how special winning this (medal) is. When I start on the lane, I know I have worked hard and so many people have supported me throughout my journey. The Olympics is a special stage, and so many people watch it,” she added.
When asked if her performance would make her a sporting icon akin to former 10m air rifle shooter Abhinav Bindra, who became a household name after winning gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Manu said the potential status wouldn’t stop her from working hard and aiming for more glory.
“I can’t say that about myself (becoming a female sporting icon); if people call me that, then I am grateful. But my journey will continue, and there’s no stopping for me. I will keep working hard, win or lose. I’ll keep my head high and try my best.”
Manu, the second youngest Indian athlete to win an Olympic medal after shuttler PV Sindhu, mentioned that she looks up to ace javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra and Sindhu because they have “proved themselves.”
“I’ve always looked up to athletes like Neeraj (Chopra) and (PV) Sindhu, who have always been able to prove themselves at certain levels. They have always been my seniors, I can’t compare (myself with them),” said Bhaker, a former competitor of the Khelo India Games and a Target Olympic Podium Scheme athlete.
Paris Olympics 2024 (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)