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Manu Bhaker

{{Short description|Indian sport shooter (born 2002)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}

{{Use Indian English|date=January 2025}}

{{Infobox sportsperson

| honorific_suffix =

| name = Manu Bhaker

| image = Paris Olympics double bronze medalist Manu Bhaker in August 2024.jpg

| caption = Bhaker in August 2024

| nationality = {{IND}}n

| birth_date = {{Birth-date and age|18 February 2002}}{{Cite web |date=2024-08-01 |title=Manu Bhaker wins India's first medal of Paris Olympics: Who is history-making shooter? |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/sport-others/manu-bhaker-india-first-medal-paris-olympics-who-is-history-making-shooter-9480743/lite/ |access-date=2025-01-27 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}

| birth_place = Goria, Haryana, India

| education = {{ubl

|Lady Shri Ram College

|DAV College

}}

| alma_mater =

| height = 168 cm

| weight = 60 kg

| sport = Shooting

| event = {{ubl|10 m air pistol|25 m pistol}}

| coach = {{flagicon|IND}} Jaspal Rana

| olympics = {{OG3}} x2

| worlds = {{World1}} x14 {{World2}} x3 {{World3}} x4

| regionals = {{Asia1}} x5 {{Asia3}} x2

| commonwealth = {{World1}} x1

| highestranking = 2

| pb = {{ubl

|244.7 WJR (2019)

|593 AGR (2018)

}}

| medaltemplates = {{MedalSport|Women's shooting}} 30px

{{Medal|Country|{{IND}}}}

{{MedalCount

| total = yes

| Olympic Games | 0

| 0

| 2

| World Championships | 1

| 1

| 0

| World Cup

| 13

| 3

| 4

| Commonwealth Games

| 1

| 0

| 0

| Asian Games

| 1

| 0

| 0

| Asian Championships

| 4

| 0

| 2

| Youth Olympic Games

| 1

| 1

| 0

| Junior World Championships

| 4

| 0

| 1

| Junior World Cup

| 5

| 3

| 0

| World University Games

| 2

| 0

| 0

}}

{{MedalCount

| total=yes

| 10 meter air pistol

| 26

| 6

| 6

| 25 meter pistol

| 6

| 2

| 3

}}

{{MedalCompetition|Olympic Games}} File:Olympic rings.svg

{{MedalBronze|2024 Paris|10 m air pistol}}

{{MedalBronze|2024 Paris|10 m air pistol mixed team}}

{{MedalCompetition|World Championships}}

{{MedalGold|2023 Baku|25 m pistol team}}

{{MedalSilver|2022 Cairo|25 m pistol team}}

{{MedalCompetition|World Cup}}

{{MedalGold|2018 Guadalajara|10 m air pistol}}

{{MedalGold|2018 Guadalajara|10 m air pistol mixed team}}

{{MedalGold|2019 New Delhi|10 m air pistol mixed team}}

{{MedalGold|2019 Beijing|10 m air pistol mixed team}}

{{MedalGold|2019 Munich|10 m air pistol mixed team}}

{{MedalGold|2019 Rio|10 m air pistol mixed team}}

{{MedalGold|2019 Putian|10 m air pistol}}

{{MedalGold|2019 Putian|10 m air pistol mixed team}}

{{MedalGold|2021 New Delhi|10 m air pistol team}}

{{MedalGold|2021 New Delhi|10 m air pistol mixed team}}

{{MedalGold|2021 New Delhi|25 m pistol team}}

{{MedalGold|2021 Wroclaw|10 m air pistol mixed team}}

{{MedalGold|2021 Wroclaw|25 m pistol mixed team}}

{{MedalSilver|2021 New Delhi|10 m air pistol}}

{{MedalSilver|2021 Osijek|10 m air pistol mixed team}}

{{MedalSilver|2025 Lima|10 m air pistol}}

{{MedalBronze|2021 New Delhi|25 m pistol}}

{{MedalBronze|2021 Osijek|10 m air pistol team}}

{{MedalBronze|2023 Bhopal|25 m pistol}}

{{MedalBronze|2024 Granada|10 m air pistol}}

{{MedalCompetition|Commonwealth Games}}

{{MedalGold|2018 Gold Coast|10 m air pistol}}

{{MedalCompetition|Asian Games}}

{{MedalGold|2022 Hangzhou|25 m pistol team}}

{{MedalCompetition|Asian Championships}}

{{MedalGold|2019 Doha|10 m air pistol}}

{{MedalGold|2019 Doha|10 m air pistol mixed team}}

{{MedalGold|2019 Taoyuan|10 m air pistol}}

{{MedalGold|2019 Taoyuan|10 m air pistol mixed team}}

{{MedalSilver|2023 Changwon|25 m pistol team}}

{{MedalBronze|2019 Doha|10 m air pistol team}}

{{MedalBronze|2019 Taoyuan|10 m air pistol team}}

{{MedalCompetition|Youth Olympic Games}}

{{MedalGold|2018 Buenos Aires|10 m air pistol}}

{{MedalSilver|2018 Buenos Aires|10 m air pistol mixed team}}

{{MedalCompetition|Junior World Championships}}

{{MedalGold|2021 Lima|10 m air pistol}}

{{MedalGold|2021 Lima|10 m air pistol team}}

{{MedalGold|2021 Lima|10 m air pistol mixed team}}

{{MedalGold|2021 Lima|25 m pistol team}}

{{MedalBronze|2021 Lima|25 m pistol}}

{{MedalCompetition|Junior World Cup}}

{{MedalGold|2018 Sydney|10 m air pistol}}

{{MedalGold|2018 Sydney|10 m air pistol mixed team}}

{{MedalGold|2018 Suhl|10 m air pistol}}

{{MedalGold|2022 Suhl|25 m pistol team}}

{{MedalGold|2022 Suhl|10 m air pistol team}}

{{MedalSilver|2018 Suhl|10 m air pistol mixed team}}

{{MedalSilver|2022 Suhl|10 m air pistol}}

{{MedalSilver|2022 Suhl|25 m pistol}}

{{MedalCompetition|World University Games}}

{{MedalGold|2021 Chengdu|10 m air pistol}}

{{MedalGold|2021 Chengdu|10 m air pistol team}}

{{MedalCompetition|Youth Asian Championships}}

{{MedalSilver|2017 Wako City|10 m air pistol}}

}}

Manu Bhaker (born 18 February 2002) is an Indian sport shooter. She has won 2 medals at the Olympic Games, 7 medals at the Asian Games and Asian Championships, and 22 medals at the World Championships and World Cups.{{Cite web |date=30 July 2024 |title=Good News: Manu Bhaker creates history in Paris Olympics |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/olympics/video/good-news-manu-bhaker-creates-history-in-paris-olympics-2574147-2024-07-30 |access-date=31 July 2024 |website=India Today |language=en}} At the 2024 Olympics, she became the first Indian woman shooter to win a medal by clinching the bronze in the 10m pistol event.{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/sport-others/manu-bhaker-bronze-medal-women-10m-air-pistol-paris-olympics-2024-9480535/|title=Manu Bhaker wins India's 1st medal of Paris Olympics 2024, a bronze in 10m air pistol|date=28 July 2024|work=The Indian Express|access-date=28 July 2024|archive-date=28 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240728130526/https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/sport-others/manu-bhaker-bronze-medal-women-10m-air-pistol-paris-olympics-2024-9480535/|url-status=live}} She won another bronze in 10m pistol mixed team, becoming the first Indian to win two medals in a single Olympic Games.{{Cite news |date=30 July 2024 |title=Trailblazer Manu Bhaker first Indian to win two medals at same Olympics post-Independence |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/paris-olympics-2024/indiaparis/manu-bhaker-makes-history-with-second-bronze-at-paris-olympics/articleshow/112131506.cms |access-date=31 July 2024 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}} Bhaker is also the youngest Indian to win gold medals at the World Cup.{{Cite news |date=6 March 2018 |title=Who is Manu Bhaker? Meet 16-year-old Indian shooter who created history by winning second gold in World Cup |url=http://www.financialexpress.com/sports/who-is-manu-bhaker-meet-16-year-old-indian-shooter-who-created-history-by-winning-second-gold-in-world-cup/1088762/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180317035815/http://www.financialexpress.com/sports/who-is-manu-bhaker-meet-16-year-old-indian-shooter-who-created-history-by-winning-second-gold-in-world-cup/1088762/ |archive-date=17 March 2018 |access-date=16 March 2018 |work=The Financial Express |language=en-US}}

She has won gold at the Commonwealth and Asian Games.{{Cite news |last=Selvaraj |first=Jonathan |date=30 July 2024 |title=Manu Bhaker makes history as she claims a second bronze medal with Sarabjot Singh in 10m air pistol mixed team |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sport/olympics/manu-bhaker-sarabjot-singhs-bag-bronze-in-10m-air-pistol-at-paris-olympics/article68463529.ece |access-date=31 July 2024 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}} While she won the gold at the 2022 Asian Games in the women's 25m pistol team event, Bhaker won the gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in the 10-metre air pistol event.{{Cite news |date=30 July 2024 |title=Who is Manu Bhaker? Meet India's 1st woman shooter to bag Olympic bronze, who also knows the Gita by heart | url = https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/who-is-manu-bhaker-meet-indias-1st-woman-shooter-to-bag-olympic-bronze-who-also-knows-the-gita-by-heart/articleshow/112085366.cms | access-date=31 July 2024 |work=The Economic Times}} She set a Commonwealth Games record during the same edition.{{Cite news |last=Dutt |first=Tushar |date=6 March 2018 |title=Haryana shooter creates history, is youngest Indian to win World Cup gold |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/shooting/haryana-shooter-creates-history-is-youngest-indian-to-win-world-cup-gold/articleshow/63177915.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311021235/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/shooting/haryana-shooter-creates-history-is-youngest-indian-to-win-world-cup-gold/articleshow/63177915.cms |archive-date=11 March 2018 |access-date=10 March 2018 |work=The Times of India}} In 2018, a 16 year old Bhaker was the youngest Indian to win gold at the World Cup.{{Cite news |last=Scott |first=Chris |date=8 April 2018 |title=16-year-old breaks Commonwealth Games record to win shooting gold for India |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/04/08/sport/16-year-old-manu-bhaker-wins-shooting-gold/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408223249/https://edition.cnn.com/2018/04/08/sport/16-year-old-manu-bhaker-wins-shooting-gold/index.html |archive-date=8 April 2018 |access-date=9 April 2018 |work=CNN}}

Early life

Bhaker was born in Goria village of Jhajjar district in Haryana.{{cite news |title=She aims to win {{!}} Manu Bhaker |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/20210719-she-aims-to-win-manu-bhaker-1826232-2021-07-09 |access-date=25 July 2024 |work=India Today |date=10 July 2021 |language=en |archive-date=26 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240726225622/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/20210719-she-aims-to-win-manu-bhaker-1826232-2021-07-09 |url-status=live }} Her father Ram Kishan Bhaker is a chief engineer in the Merchant Navy. Her mother, Sumedha Bhaker, is a former school principal with a master's in Sanskrit, who hails from an educationist family of Kalali village in Charkhi Dadri.{{Cite news |date=2 August 2024 |title=This bronze medal is like gold to us…': Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker's family in Haryana village | url = https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/manu-bhaker-paris-olympics-bronze-goria-village-haryana-family-9481829/ | access-date=3 August 2024 |work=The Indian Express}}

Bhaker did her schooling at Universal Higher Senior Secondary School in Goria, which was started by her grandfather Raj Karan. During her schooling, she participated in sports such as tennis, skating, Manipuri martial-art thang-ta and boxing. She earned several medals at the national games in these sports.{{Cite news |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/sport-others/manu-jack-of-all-trades-but-master-of-one-wins-25m-pistol-gold-at-world-cup-5087354/ |title=Manu Bhaker, jack of all trades but master of one, wins 10m pistol gold medal at World Cup |date=6 March 2018 |work=The Indian Express |access-date=10 March 2018 |language=en-US |archive-date=9 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180309174633/http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/sport-others/manu-jack-of-all-trades-but-master-of-one-wins-25m-pistol-gold-at-world-cup-5087354/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.in/olympics/story/_/id/40662173/south-korea-oh-ye-jin-sets-olympic-shooting-record-gold|title=South Korea's Oh Ye Jin sets Olympic shooting record for gold|date=28 July 2024 |publisher=ESPN}} As a 14-year-old, she decided to focus on the sport of shooting, and with an investment of ₹1,50,000 by her father, she started her training.

Her mother provided guidance throughout her schooling, and introduced her to the Bhagavad Gita which helped Bhaker cope during her tense times.{{Cite news |date=2 September 2024 |title=From 'Missing Indian Food' In Paris To Reading Gita To Relieve All Tension | url = https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/from-missing-indian-food-in-paris-to-reading-gita-to-relieve-all-tension-manu-bhaker-reveals-the-secrets-behind-her-olympics-success | access-date=6 September 2024 |work=Free Press Journal}}

At a young age of 15, Bhaker became one of the top female shooters in India, winning multiple gold medals at the 2017 National games.{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/shooting/manu-bhaker-picks-up-ninth-gold-at-national-shooting-championship/articleshow/62232988.cms |title=Manu Bhaker picks up ninth gold at National Shooting Championship |last=PTI |date=24 December 2017 |work=The Times of India |access-date=30 March 2018 |archive-date=22 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180422152711/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/shooting/manu-bhaker-picks-up-ninth-gold-at-national-shooting-championship/articleshow/62232988.cms |url-status=live }} Along with her sports, she kept her education going and went on to study Political Science at Lady Shri Ram College, New Delhi, graduating in 2021.{{Cite news |title=When Olympics medalist Manu Bhaker, a Delhi's Lady Shri Ram College graduate, wanted to quit sports and go abroad for studies |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/when-manu-bhaker-a-delhis-lady-shri-ram-college-graduate-wanted-to-quit-the-sports-and-go-abroad-for-further-studies/articleshow/112094620.cms |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389 |date=31 July 2024 |access-date=16 August 2024}}{{Cite news |title='People think girls from LSR are...': Manu Bhaker, a Lady Shri Ram college graduate, at alma mater's award ceremony |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/people-think-girls-from-lsr-are-manu-bhaker-a-lady-shri-ram-college-graduate-at-alma-maters-award-ceremony/articleshow/114140215.cms |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389 |date=11 October 2024 |access-date=12 October 2024}} She is pursuing a masters in Public Administration at DAV College, Chandigarh.{{Cite news |date=10 August 2024 |title=In Chandigarh, Manu Bhaker says want to focus on studies for sometime | url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/chandigarh/manu-bhaker-sarabjot-singh-arrive-in-chandigarh/ |access-date=19 August 2024 |work=The Tribune | quote="22-year-old is pursuing Master of Arts in Public Administration at DAV College, Chandigarh"}}

Career

=Beginnings (2016–2020)=

In 2016, Bhaker started training with her first coach, Anil Jakhar and prepared for the junior world tournaments. She earned her first success at the international level when she won the silver medal at the 2017 Asian Junior Championships. In the 2017 National games held at Kerala, Bhaker won nine gold medals{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/shooting/manu-bhaker-picks-up-ninth-gold-at-national-shooting-championship/articleshow/62232988.cms |title=Manu Bhaker picks up ninth gold at National Shooting Championship |last=PTI |date=24 December 2017 |work=The Times of India |access-date=30 March 2018 |archive-date=22 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180422152711/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/shooting/manu-bhaker-picks-up-ninth-gold-at-national-shooting-championship/articleshow/62232988.cms |url-status=live }} and defeated multiple World Cup medalist Heena Sidhu and broke Sidhu's record of 240.8 points, scoring 242.3 points in the final.

In the 2018 International Shooting Sport Federation World Cup held at Guadalajara, Mexico. Bhaker won the gold medal in the Women's 10-meter air pistol, defeating Mexico's Alejandra Zavala, a two-time champion.{{cite news |last1=Selvaraj |first1=Jonathan |date=8 April 2018 |title=Bindra: Manu's talented but it will get tougher for her |url=https://www.espn.in/commonwealth-games/story/_/id/23074321/manu-bhaker-talented-get-tougher-her |access-date=9 April 2018 |work=ESPN |language=en |archive-date=8 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408160406/http://www.espn.in/commonwealth-games/story/_/id/23074321/manu-bhaker-talented-get-tougher-her |url-status=live }} Bhaker scored 237.5 the final match against Zavalaa, who scored 237.1.{{Cite news |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/other-sports/manu-bhaker-wins-second-gold-medal-at-issf-shooting-world-cup/story-lcTRTB2sHACGPtjqt9escN.html |title=Manu Bhaker, 16-year-old from Haryana, wins 2nd gold at ISSF shooting World Cup |date=6 March 2018 |access-date=10 March 2018 |language=en |website=Hindustan Times |archive-date=11 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311140610/https://www.hindustantimes.com/other-sports/manu-bhaker-wins-second-gold-medal-at-issf-shooting-world-cup/story-lcTRTB2sHACGPtjqt9escN.html |url-status=live }}

Bhaker won her second gold medal at the World Cup in the 10-meter Air Pistol mixed team event. She was paired with fellow countryman Om Prakash Mitharval. The pair shot a score of 476.1 points, defeating Sandra Reitz and Christian Reitz who scored 475.2.{{Cite news |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/sport-others/indias-gold-rush-continues-as-manu-bhaker-om-prakash-mitharval-finish-first-in-10m-air-pistol-mixed-team-final-5087511/ |title=India's gold rush continues as Manu Bhaker, Om Prakash Mitharval finish first in 10m Air Pistol mixed team final |date=6 March 2018 |work=The Indian Express |access-date=10 March 2018 |language=en-US |archive-date=11 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311021607/http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/sport-others/indias-gold-rush-continues-as-manu-bhaker-om-prakash-mitharval-finish-first-in-10m-air-pistol-mixed-team-final-5087511/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/other-sports/story/issf-world-cup-16-year-old-manu-bhaker-wins-gold-in-women-s-pistol-event-1182045-2018-03-05 |title=ISSF World Cup: 16-year-old Manu Bhaker wins gold in women's pistol event |date=5 March 2018 |access-date=10 March 2018 |language=en-US |archive-date=11 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311064941/https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/other-sports/story/issf-world-cup-16-year-old-manu-bhaker-wins-gold-in-women-s-pistol-event-1182045-2018-03-05 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/shooting/manu-bhaker-shoots-gold-in-womens-10m-air-pistol/articleshow/63164986.cms |title=Manu Bhaker shoots gold in Women's 10m Air Pistol |date=5 March 2018 |work=The Times of India |access-date=6 March 2018 |archive-date=6 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306030758/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/shooting/manu-bhaker-shoots-gold-in-womens-10m-air-pistol/articleshow/63164986.cms |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/shooting/manu-bhaker-wins-second-gold-at-shooting-world-cup/articleshow/63179862.cms |title=Manu Bhaker wins second gold at Shooting World Cup |date=7 March 2018 |work=The Times of India |access-date=6 March 2018 |archive-date=6 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306201038/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/shooting/manu-bhaker-wins-second-gold-at-shooting-world-cup/articleshow/63179862.cms |url-status=live }}

Bhaker scored 388/400 points at 2018 Commonwealth Games in women's 10m air pistol qualifying round and qualified for the finals. In the final round of the women's 10m air pistol event during the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, she secured the gold medal with setting a new Commonwealth Games record of 240.9 points.{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/commonwealth-games/cwg-2018-on-debut-teenaged-manu-bhaker-shoots-gold-heena-sindhu-silver/articleshow/63663573.cms |title=CWG 2018: On debut, teenaged Manu Bhaker shoots gold, Heena Sindhu silver |date=17 April 2018 |work=The Times of India |access-date=9 April 2018 |archive-date=8 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408173746/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/commonwealth-games/cwg-2018-on-debut-teenaged-manu-bhaker-shoots-gold-heena-sindhu-silver/articleshow/63663573.cms |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |url=https://www.firstpost.com/sports/commonwealth-games-2018-superwomen-manu-bhaker-punam-yadav-manika-batra-lead-charge-as-india-end-day-4-on-a-high-4423111.html |title=Commonwealth Games 2018: Superwomen Manu Bhaker, Punam Yadav, Manika Batra lead charge as India end Day 4 on a high |first=G |last=Rajaraman |date=8 April 2018 |work=Firstpost |access-date=9 April 2018 |archive-date=9 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409171533/https://www.firstpost.com/sports/commonwealth-games-2018-superwomen-manu-bhaker-punam-yadav-manika-batra-lead-charge-as-india-end-day-4-on-a-high-4423111.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Rao |first1=Santosh |title=Commonwealth Games 2018: Manu Bhaker, 16, Shatters Games Record To Clinch Gold, Heena Sidhu Bags Silver {{!}} Commonwealth Games News |url=https://sports.ndtv.com/commonwealth-games-2018/commonwealth-games-2018-manu-bhaker-16-shatters-games-record-to-clinch-gold-heena-sidhu-bags-silver-1834289 |access-date=9 April 2018 |work=NDTV |date=8 April 2018 |language=en |archive-date=9 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409172050/https://sports.ndtv.com/commonwealth-games-2018/commonwealth-games-2018-manu-bhaker-16-shatters-games-record-to-clinch-gold-heena-sidhu-bags-silver-1834289 |url-status=live }}

In 2018 Asian Games, she scored a game's record score of 593 in the qualification round of 25m Air pistol event. But she failed to win a medal there, as she finished 6th in the final. Eventually, her compatriot Rahi Sarnobat clinched the Gold in this event.

At the Youth Olympics 2018, Manu Bhaker shot 236.5 to stand at the top of the points table in the women's 10m air pistol event. The Indian flag bearer at the opening ceremony of the Youth Olympics is also the World Cup and Commonwealth Games gold medalist. The 16-year-old Manu became the first shooter from India and the first female athlete from India to grab a gold medal at the Youth Olympic Games.

In 2018, national pistol coach Jaspal Rana was the mentor for Bhaker and said that “ Manu is mentally very strong" and we need to groom talented shooters like her for the 2020 Olympics”.

In February 2019 she won the gold medal in the 10m air pistol mixed team event at 2019 ISSF World Cup in Delhi.{{Cite web|url=https://sportsflashes.com/en/news/bhaker-chaudhry-end-world-cup-on-a-high-win-3rd-gold-for-india-/255053.html|title=Bhaker, Chaudhry end World Cup on a high; win 3rd Gold for India|last=Sharma|first=suposh|date=27 February 2019|website=Sports Flashes|language=en-IN|access-date=27 February 2019|archive-date=28 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190228004014/https://sportsflashes.com/en/news/bhaker-chaudhry-end-world-cup-on-a-high-win-3rd-gold-for-india-/255053.html|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://sports.ndtv.com/shooting/issf-world-cup-2019-manu-bhaker-saurabh-chaudhary-win-gold-in-10m-air-pistol-mixed-team-event-2000135|title=ISSF World Cup 2019: Manu Bhaker, Saurabh Chaudhary Win Gold in 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team Event {{!}} Shooting News|last=NDTVSports.com|website=NDTVSports.com|language=en|access-date=27 February 2019|archive-date=27 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190227142916/https://sports.ndtv.com/shooting/issf-world-cup-2019-manu-bhaker-saurabh-chaudhary-win-gold-in-10m-air-pistol-mixed-team-event-2000135|url-status=live}}

In May 2019 she qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in the 10m pistol event via a fourth place finish at the Munich ISSF World Cup. This came days after her pistol jammed in the finals of the 25m pistol event when she was leading, eventually forcing her to forfeit due to her gun not being able to fire.

In all the four Pistol & Rifle ISSF World Cups in 2019, she won the gold medal in the 10m air pistol mixed event with Saurabh Chaudhry as her partner, making the pair a strong contender for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.{{Cite magazine|date=22 March 2021|title=Shooting World Cup: Manu Bhaker, Saurabh Chaudhary win gold for India in 10m Air Pistol mixed team event|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/other-sports/story/issf-world-cup-new-delhi-manu-bhaker-saurabh-chaudhary-10m-air-pistol-mixed-team-gold-1782214-2021-03-22|access-date=19 July 2021|magazine=India Today|language=en|archive-date=19 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719143417/https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/other-sports/story/issf-world-cup-new-delhi-manu-bhaker-saurabh-chaudhary-10m-air-pistol-mixed-team-gold-1782214-2021-03-22|url-status=live}}

=Rising star (2021–2024)=

In the delayed 2020 Summer Olympics, Bhaker faced multiple problems, including pistol malfunction, which led to her missing the finals for both the 10m and 25m air pistol. She partnered Saurabh Chaudhary in the mixed 10m air pistol team, but in spite of finishing the qualifying round with the highest score, she finished only eighth in the next round and missed the final. After the Tokyo Olympics, she was very disappointed but soon found motivation from the Bhagavad Gita verses such as “Focus on karma, not on the outcome of the karma.” {{Cite news |date=28 July 2024 |title=Manu Bhaker reveals how Bhagavad Gita helped her clinch historic Paris Olympics bronze: 'Focus on karma, not on outcome' | url = https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/olympics/manu-bhaker-reveals-how-bhagawad-gita-helped-her-clinch-historic-paris-olympics-bronze-focus-on-karma-not-on-outcome-101722163249055.html | access-date=31 August 2024 |work= Hindustan Times}}

At the 2022 Asian Games, Bhaker won the team gold for India in the women's 25m pistol team event, along with Esha Singh and Rhythm Sangwan.{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Philem Dipak |date=27 September 2023 |title=Asian Games: Indian trio bags gold in women's 25m pistol event |url=https://theprint.in/sport/indian-trio-shoots-gold-in-womens-25m-pistol-event/1779659/ |access-date=27 September 2023 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US |archive-date=27 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230927070939/https://theprint.in/sport/indian-trio-shoots-gold-in-womens-25m-pistol-event/1779659/ |url-status=live }}

In 2023, Bhaker re-united with her coach, Jaspal Rana, to prepare for the 2024 Olympics, and the reinstatement of Rana was supported by IOC president PT Usha.{{cite news |title=What's Manu Bhaker's price for chasing the 'beautiful shot'? Coach Jaspal Rana points out a bruise on her hand that will last lifetime | url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/sport-others/manu-bhaker-coach-jaspal-rana-bruised-hand-paris-olympics-9493321/

| date=4 August 2024| access-date=8 August 2024|newspaper=The Indian Express}} Rana developed a rigorous training schedule for Bhaker by replicating the routine of Olympic matches in their daily schedule.{{cite news |title=Manu-Bhaker-and-I-never-discussed-past-differences-says-Jaspal-Rana | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/paris-olympics-2024/indiaparis/manu-bhaker-and-i-never-discussed-past-differences-says-jaspal-rana/articleshow/112305401.cms

| date=6 August 2024|access-date=8 August 2024|newspaper=Times of India | quote="Pistol coach Jaspal Rana, the man behind Manu Bhaker's historic double bronze at the Olympics"}}

At the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, Bhaker won two bronze medals. First, she won bronze in the women's 10 metre air pistol event, becoming the first female shooter from India to win a medal at any Olympics.{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/sport-others/manu-bhaker-bronze-medal-women-10m-air-pistol-paris-olympics-2024-9480535/|title=Manu Bhaker wins India's 1st medal of Paris Olympics 2024, a bronze in 10m air pistol|date=28 July 2024|work=The Indian Express|access-date=28 July 2024|archive-date=28 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240728130526/https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/sport-others/manu-bhaker-bronze-medal-women-10m-air-pistol-paris-olympics-2024-9480535/|url-status=live}} Next, she won another bronze medal in the mixed 10 metre air pistol team event, wherein she partnered with fellow team mate, Sarabjot Singh.{{Cite news |last=Selvaraj |first=Jonathan |date=30 July 2024 |title=Manu Bhaker makes history as she claims a second bronze medal with Sarabjot Singh in 10m air pistol mixed team |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sport/olympics/manu-bhaker-sarabjot-singhs-bag-bronze-in-10m-air-pistol-at-paris-olympics/article68463529.ece |access-date=31 July 2024 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}} She became the first Indian to win two medals at an Olympics since independence of India.{{Cite web |date=30 July 2024 |title=Good News: Manu Bhaker creates history in Paris Olympics |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/olympics/video/good-news-manu-bhaker-creates-history-in-paris-olympics-2574147-2024-07-30 |access-date=31 July 2024 |website=India Today |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=30 July 2024 |title=Trailblazer Manu Bhaker first Indian to win two medals at same Olympics post-Independence |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/paris-olympics-2024/indiaparis/manu-bhaker-makes-history-with-second-bronze-at-paris-olympics/articleshow/112131506.cms |access-date=31 July 2024 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}} Bhaker has credited her coach, Jaspal Rana for helping her win the double bronze medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics.{{cite news |title=Paris Olympics: How going back to Jaspal Rana as coach revived Manu Bhaker's career | url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/sport-others/paris-2024-olympics-manu-bhaker-coach-jaspal-rana-9481471/

| date=29 July 2024|access-date=8 August 2024|newspaper=The Indian Express| quote="He played a huge role in the medal, it’s the sweat and blood of both of us and many more."}}

In 2025, she was awarded the Khel Ratna, India's highest sporting honour, for her consistent performance in shooting, making her the youngest Indian shooter to receive the award.{{Cite web |title=Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports Announces National Sports Awards 2024 |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2089557 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250130092942/https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2089557 |archive-date=2025-01-30 |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=pib.gov.in}}{{Cite web |date=2025-01-17 |title=Manu Bhaker on Olympic medal's quality after Khel Ratna honour: Should be top notch |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/story/shooting-manu-bhaker-olympics-khel-ratna-award-2666498-2025-01-17 |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=India Today |language=en}}

Performance record

=Olympic Games=

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
Year

!Venue

!Event

!Rank

!Score

rowspan=3|2020

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Tokyo

|10m air pistol women

|12th

|575

{{flagicon|JPN}} Tokyo

|25m pistol women

|15th

|582

{{flagicon|JPN}} Tokyo

|10m air pistol mixed team

|7th

|Stage 1: 582
Stage 2: 380

bgcolor=#CFAA88

|2024

|{{flagicon|FRA}} Paris

|10m air pistol women

|3rd

|Qualification: 580
Final: 221.7

bgcolor=#CFAA88

|2024

|{{flagicon|FRA}} Paris

|10m air pistol mixed team

|3rd

|Qualification: 580
Final: 16–10

2024

|{{flagicon|FRA}} Paris

|25m pistol women

|4th

|Qualification: 590
Final: 28

=World Championship=

Class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
Year

!Venue

!Event

!Rank

!Score

rowspan=3|2018

|rowspan=3|{{flagicon|KOR}} Changwon

|10m air pistol women

|13th

|Score: 574

Mixed team 10m air pistol women

|12th

|Score: 767

25m pistol women

|10th

|Score: 584

=World Cup=

Class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
Year

!Venue

!Event

!Rank

!Score

bgcolor=silver

|2021

|New Delhi

|10m air pistol women

|2nd

|Score: 577
Final: 236.7

bgcolor=gold

|2019

|Putian

|10m air pistol women

|1st

|Score: 578
Final: 244.7

2019

|Munich

|10m air pistol women

|4th

|Score: 582
Final: 201.0

2019

|New Delhi

|10m air pistol women

|14th

|Score: 573

2019

|Beijing

|10m air pistol women

|17th

|Score: 575

bgcolor=gold

|2018

|Guadalajara

|10m air pistol women

|1st

|Score: 772
Final: 337.5

2018

|Changwon

|10m air pistol women

|30th

|Score: 571

2018

|Munich

|10m air pistol women

|47th

|Score: 567

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"

!Year

!Venue

!Event

!Rank

!Score

2018

|Guadalajara

|25m pistol women

|5th

|Score: 581
Final: 19

rowspan=3|2019

|New Delhi

|25m pistol women

|5th

|Score: 590
Final: 22

Munich

|25m pistol women

|5th

|Score: 585
Final: 21

Beijing

|25m pistol women

|17th

|Score: 82

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
Year

!Venue

!Event

!Rank

!Score

2021

|New Delhi

|Mixed 10m air pistol

|{{Gold01}}

|Score: 384
Final:16

rowspan=4|2019

|Putian

|Mixed 10m air pistol

|{{Gold01}}

|Score: 387
Final: 17

New Delhi

|Mixed 10m air pistol

|{{Gold01}}

|Score: 778
Final: 483.4

Beijing

|Mixed 10m air pistol

|{{Gold01}}

|Score: 482
Final: 16

Munich

|Mixed 10m air pistol

|{{Gold01}}

|Score: 591
Final: 17

rowspan=3|2018

|Guadalajara

|Mixed 10m air pistol

|{{Gold01}}

|Score: 770
Final: 476.1

Changwon

|Mixed 10m air pistol

|4th

|Score: 778
Final: 378.6

Munich

|Mixed 10m air pistol

|34th

|Score: 758

=Youth Olympics=

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
Year

!Venue

!Event

!Rank

!Score

rowspan=2|2018

|rowspan=2|Buenos Aires

|10m air pistol women

|{{Gold01}}

|Score: 576
Final: 236.5

Mixed team 10m air pistol

|{{Silver02}}

|Score: 751
Final: 3

=Junior World Championship=

Class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
Year

!Venue

!Event

!Rank

!Score

rowspan=3|2021

|Lima

|10m air pistol women

|{{gold01}}

|Score: 574
Final: 241.3

=Junior World Cup=

Class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
Year

!Venue

!Event

!Rank

!Score

rowspan=6|2018

|rowspan=3|Sydney

|10-meter air pistol women

|{{Gold01}}

|Score: 570
Final: 235.9

Mixed team 10m pistol air

|{{Gold01}}

|Score: 770
Final: 478.9

25m pistol women

|4th

|Score: 574
Final: 18

rowspan=3|Suhl

|10m air pistol women

|{{Gold01}}

|Score: 573
Final: 242.5

25m pistol women

|5th

|Score: 579
Final: 19

Mixed team 10m air pistol

|{{Silver02}}

|Score: 766
Final: 474.4

Awards and nominations

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
Year

! Award

! Category

! Result

! Ref

rowspan=3|2019

|Delhi Sports Journalists Awards

|Best Sportsperson of the Year

|{{won}}

|{{Cite web |last=Lokapally |first=Vijay |date=28 March 2019 |title=Best sportspersons award for Bajrang Punia, Rishabh Pant, Manu Bhaker |url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/other-sports/delhi-sports-journalists-association-award-punia-pant-bhaker-rampal-batra/article26665589.ece/ |access-date=19 October 2024 |website=sportstar.thehindu.com |language=en}}

rowspan=2|Indian Sports Honours

|Emerging Sportswoman of the Year

|{{won}}

|{{Cite web |title=Winners {{!}} ISH 2019 |url=https://indiansportshonours.com/edition-ish-2019/ |access-date=19 October 2024 |website=Indian Sports Honours |language=en-US}}

Women's Breakthrough of the Year

|{{nom}}

|

2020

|Arjuna Award

|Outstanding Performance in Sports

|{{won}}

|

rowspan=2|2021

|rowspan=2|BBC Awards

|Sportswoman of the Year

|{{nom}}

|

Emerging Sportswoman of the Year

|{{won}}

|{{Cite web |title=India's teen shooter Manu Bhaker wins BBC's Emerging Player of the Year award |url=https://olympics.com/en/news/bbc-sportswoman-2021-emerging-lifetime-achievement-manu-bhaker-anju-george |website=Olympics}}

rowspan=2|2024

|BBC Awards

|Sportswoman of the Year

|{{nom}}

|

Indian Sports Honours

|Sportswoman of the Year

|{{won}}

|

rowspan=6|2025

|Khel Ratna Award

|Spectacular Performance in Sports

|{{won}}

|{{Cite news |last=Basu |first=Ritayan |date=2 January 2025 |title=Manu Bhaker, D Gukesh Among Four Champion Athletes Selected For Khel Ratna Award |url=https://www.news18.com/sports/manu-bhakar-d-gukesh-harmanpreet-singh-and-praveen-kumar-to-be-conferred-major-dhyan-chand-khel-ratna-award-9175230.html |work=News18 |access-date=2 January 2025}}

rowspan=2|Sportstar Awards

|Sportstar of the Year Female

|{{won}}

|{{Cite web |last=Achal |first=Ashwin |date=2025-02-14 |title=Sportstar Aces Awards 2025: Manu Bhaker, P.R. Sreejesh bag top honours |url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/aces-awards/sportstar-aces-awards-2025-manu-bhaker-pr-sreejesh-player-of-the-year-award-list-of-winners-indian-chess-team-downtown-heroes/article69220890.ece/ |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=sportstar.thehindu.com |language=en}}

Sportswoman of the Year

|{{won}}

|

BBC Awards

|Sportswoman of the Year

|{{won}}

|{{Cite web |date=2025-02-17 |title=Manu Bhaker: Shooter named BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/articles/cj656x4le9ro.amp |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-gb}}

rowspan=2|Times of India Sports Awards

|Sportsperson of the Year Female

|{{won}}

|{{Cite news |date=2025-02-22 |title=TOISA 2024: D Gukesh, Manu Bhaker bag top honours in celebration of sporting excellence |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/others/toisa-2024-d-gukesh-manu-bhaker-bag-top-honours-in-celebration-of-sporting-excellence/articleshow/118484754.cms |access-date=2025-02-22 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}

Shooter of the Year Female

|{{won}}

|{{Cite news |date=2025-02-18 |title=TOISA 2024 Nominees: The shooters in the fray for top honours |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/shooting/toisa-2024-nominees-the-shooters-in-the-fray-for-top-honours/articleshow/118350759.cms |access-date=2025-02-22 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

{{Commons category|Manu Bhaker}}

  • {{ISSF}}
  • {{Olympics.com}}
  • {{Olympedia}}
  • [https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/athlete/manu-bhaker_1538159 Manu Bhaker] at the 2024 Paris Olympics
  • {{Instagram}}

{{Portal bar|India|Sports|Biography}}

{{Olympic medalists for India}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bhaker, Manu}}

Category:2002 births

Category:Living people

Category:People from Jhajjar

Category:Indian female sport shooters

Category:Sport shooters from Haryana

Category:Sportswomen from Haryana

Category:Commonwealth Games gold medallists for India

Category:Commonwealth Games medallists in shooting

Category:Shooters at the 2018 Commonwealth Games

Category:Shooters at the 2018 Asian Games

Category:Shooters at the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics

Category:Youth Olympic gold medalists for India

Category:Shooters at the 2022 Asian Games

Category:Asian Games medalists in shooting

Category:Asian Games gold medalists for India

Category:Medalists at the 2022 Asian Games

Category:Recipients of the Arjuna Award

Category:Shooters at the 2020 Summer Olympics

Category:Shooters at the 2024 Summer Olympics

Category:Olympic shooters for India

Category:Olympic bronze medalists for India

Category:Olympic medalists in shooting

Category:Medalists at the 2024 Summer Olympics

Category:Medallists at the 2018 Commonwealth Games

Category:Medalists at the 2021 Summer Universiade

Category:FISU World University Games gold medalists for India

Category:Summer World University Games medalists in shooting

Category:ISSF pistol shooters

Category:21st-century Indian women

Category:21st-century Indian people

Category:Lady Shri Ram College alumni

Category:Recipients of the Khel Ratna Award