Paris Olympics: Manu Bhaker bags the first medal (Bronze) for India

Summary: Manu Bhaker becomes the first Indian woman shooter to win bronze in the 10 meter air pistol event. 

The 22-year-old shooter Manu Bhaker became the first Indian to win a medal at this year's games when she took bronze in the women's 10m air pistol final at the Paris Olympics 2024. Bhaker also achieved a first for India as a female shooter by winning an Olympic medal.

For most of the competition, Bhaker stayed in the top three thanks to her outstanding skills and composure. Going into the last shot, she was leading by 0.1 points in second place, but she eventually dropped to third, earning the bronze medal.

Manu Bhaker, 19, was in tears three years ago at the Tokyo Olympics. She did not make it to the finals, despite having high expectations. The hype of becoming the shooting prodigy who would take over the world had weighed her down. Defeat had left her broken. But she recovered quickly and has returned to demonstrate why she will be on top for a while.

As soon as the bronze medal was announced, coach Rana walked out of the press tribune, delighted and smiling. Manu later explained: "This is because of our hard work. This medal is the result of our blood and sweat and is dedicated to my homeland. I figured out where he was sitting—inside the shooting range—and maintained eye contact with him. It gave me the courage to fight for every shot."

Manu was in excellent form when she competed in the mixed event on Saturday. She constantly received 10s. She began the final with a 10.6 and finished it with a 10.2. She laid out her goals.

She received two 9s in the first season, 9.5 and 9.6. Still, she was in the running for a medal and in third place. She placed third with 100.3 points after the second series, in which she had two 9.6 shots, slightly behind the two South Koreans who eventually ended one-two.

Oh Ye Jin took home the gold, while Kim Yeji took home the silver.