Manu Bhaker's Inspirational Journey: From UPSC Aspirations to Olympic Glory!

Manu Bhaker is a prime example of selecting a strong goal, working tirelessly for it, and ultimately achieving it. Three years ago, Manu Bhaker entered the Tokyo Olympics, making her debut in three events at just 19 years old—a remarkable feat for such a young athlete. Her outstanding talent had already set high expectations. However, the pressure took a toll, and she fell short of winning a medal.

A Storied Career

Before the Tokyo Olympics, Bhaker had amassed an impressive list of achievements:

• Junior World Cup: Two gold medals
• Youth Olympics: Gold medal
• Commonwealth Games: Gold medal
• Asian Shooting Championship: Two gold medals
• World Cups: Nine gold medals

Given these accolades, many expected her to secure an Olympic medal as well. Unfortunately, during the qualifying rounds, technical issues with her pistol cost her six crucial minutes. Despite these setbacks, she managed to score 575 points from 60 shots, missing the finals by just two points, leaving her devastated.

Bouncing Back from Defeat

Winning an Olympic medal requires not only talent but immense courage. Rising from a defeat, especially from a global stage like the Olympics, demands physical and mental strength. Many athletes struggle to bounce back from such disappointments. Following the Tokyo Olympics, other shooters like Apurvi Chandela and Abhishek Verma also faced similar challenges.

At one point, Manu considered quitting shooting to prepare for the Civil Services, feeling disheartened by her performance. However, encouraged by close ones, she decided to give it one last shot.

From Prodigy to Champion

A natural athlete from a young age, she was already excelling in boxing, tennis, and skating by 13. At 14, a spark ignited when she discovered shooting. Just a year later, at 15, she stunned the world by becoming the youngest Indian to clinch gold at the ISSF World Cup.

Her journey was far from smooth. At 16, faced with criticism and setbacks, she refused to be deterred, training with relentless determination. A heartbreaking loss at the Asian Games at 17 fueled her desire to conquer. The following year, she returned to the international stage with a vengeance, capturing multiple gold medals at the ISSF World Cups and becoming a national sensation.

The pinnacle of her career thus far arrived at 19 when she qualified for the Tokyo Olympics. Under immense pressure, she competed with unwavering resilience at 20. Today, she stands as a beacon of hope and inspiration for millions of young athletes, proving that with talent, hard work, and determination, dreams can indeed become reality.

Renewed Determination

With renewed focus and rigorous training, Bhaker once again began to see success:

• Junior World Championship: Four gold medals
• Asian Games: Gold medal
• World Cups: Two bronze medals
• World Championship: One gold and one bronze medal

At 22, Manu Bhaker proved her mettle by winning an Olympic medal. She erased the bitter memories of the last Olympics and proudly stood as an Olympic medalist.

Historic Win at Paris Olympics 2024

In the Paris Olympics 2024, Manu Bhaker ended India's 12-year medal drought in shooting by winning a bronze in the 10m air pistol women's event. At just 22, she made the nation proud on a global stage. Since 2018, Bhaker has been winning medals internationally, including at the ISSF World Cup and the Commonwealth Games.

Success and Recognition

Manu Bhaker's net worth, including prize money, endorsements, and sponsorships, is around ₹12 crores. She has become the poster girl of Indian shooting, with 200k followers on Instagram and 150k on X (formerly Twitter). The Haryana government honored her Commonwealth Games success with ₹2 crores. Governments frequently award prize money to tournament winners, and Manu is sponsored by OG Q.

Manu Bhaker's journey from contemplating a career in civil services to achieving Olympic glory is a testament to her dedication, talent, and resilience. She continues to inspire countless young athletes with her story of perseverance and triumph.

Published date : 30 Jul 2024 10:18AM