Manu Bhaker, the ace Indian shooter, fell just short of securing a historic third Olympic medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics. In a gripping women’s 25m air pistol final held at the National Shooting Center in Chateauroux, Bhaker, who had been a strong contender throughout, ended up in fourth place. Despite leading for most of the final, a series of underwhelming shots in the latter stages saw her drop to fourth place after a tense shoot-off against Hungary’s Veronika Major.

Final stages challenge Manu Bhaker’s medal hopes

Throughout the 25m air pistol final at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Manu Bhaker was a prominent contender, consistently occupying the top positions. However, her performance faltered in the final rounds. Veronika Major secured the bronze medal, while Jiin Yang of the Republic of Korea clinched gold after a dramatic shoot-off against France’s Camille Jedrzejewski. Despite this outcome, Manu Bhaker’s contributions to the Paris 2024 Olympics remain significant.

Historic achievements of Manu Bhaker

Manu Bhaker’s achievements at the Paris 2024 Olympics have been remarkable. Earlier in the Games, she made history as the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal in shooting by securing bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol final. She followed this with another bronze in the 10m air pistol mixed team event with Sarabjot Singh, marking India’s first shooting medal in a team event at the Olympics.

Event highlights and Bhaker’s performance details

In the 25m air pistol final, Manu Bhaker began with a strong performance, ending the first stage tied in second place with 10 points. Jiin Yang led the competition with 13 points after the first stage. Bhaker dropped to sixth place after the first elimination round but made a comeback with a perfect five in the second series, moving up to third place alongside Camille Jedrzejewski. Despite closing the gap on Jiin Yang with strong shooting in the sixth and seventh series, Bhaker struggled in the final series and tied with Veronika Major for fourth place. In the decisive shoot-off, Major’s performance secured her a place on the podium, leaving Bhaker with a fourth-place finish.

Impact on Indian shooting and Bhaker’s legacy

Manu Bhaker’s fourth-place finish in the women’s 25m air pistol final at the Paris 2024 Olympics is a notable achievement, although it was the second instance of an Indian shooter narrowly missing a medal in Paris, following Arjun Babuta’s similar outcome in the men’s 10m air rifle final. Bhaker, the only athlete from the 21-member Indian shooting team to compete in multiple individual events, has played a key role in India’s Olympic shooting successes. Her two medals at Paris 2024 contribute significantly to India’s tally.

Expert opinion on Bhaker’s performance

Experts view Manu Bhaker’s performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics as a testament to her skill and determination, despite narrowly missing a third medal. Her victories in the 10m air pistol events set a new standard for Indian shooting and highlight her as a leading figure in the sport. Bhaker’s success, alongside that of Sarabjot Singh and Arjun Babuta, underscores the growing prowess of Indian athletes on the global stage.

Manu Bhaker at Paris 2024 Olympics: A Detailed Overview

Manu Bhaker, one of India’s top shooters, had a remarkable but ultimately heartbreaking performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Despite showing strong potential to achieve a historic three-peat of Olympic medals, Bhaker narrowly missed out, finishing fourth in the women’s 25m air pistol event.

What were the key moments in Manu Bhaker’s performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics?

Manu Bhaker started strong in the women’s 25m air pistol event, showing promise across the initial series but struggled in the crucial final rounds. During the shoot-off for the bronze medal, she was edged out by Hungary’s Veronika Major. Despite the setback, Bhaker’s journey in Paris was noteworthy as she had previously secured two bronze medals, making significant contributions to India’s tally at the games.

How has Manu Bhaker’s past performance influenced her current Olympic showing?

Coming into Paris 2024, Bhaker had a mixed track record with previous Olympics and World Championships. After facing technical difficulties and high-pressure setbacks in Tokyo 2020, Bhaker made a strong comeback, showcasing her resilience and skill at subsequent international events, which set high expectations for her performance in Paris.

What does Manu Bhaker’s near miss in Paris imply for her future in shooting sports?

Bhaker’s performance, despite not clinching a medal in the 25m event, still highlights her as a formidable athlete in shooting sports. Her ability to compete at high levels and her previous successes suggest she will continue to be a key figure in Indian shooting, potentially leading to more Olympic bids and possibly better outcomes in future competitions.

What impact does Manu Bhaker’s performance have on Indian shooting sports?

Bhaker’s achievements and her high-profile presence at the Olympics serve as an inspiration for upcoming athletes in India. Her successes contribute to a growing legacy of Indian shooters who are making their mark on the world stage, promoting shooting sports across the nation and encouraging a new generation of athletes.

Manu Bhaker’s performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics, although not resulting in a medal in the 25m air pistol, was a testament to her skill and determination. The support she received from fans and her ability to handle pressure will continue to make her a significant asset to Indian sports and a role model for many young athletes.

  Arjun Babuta, Camille Jedrzejewski, Indian shooting, Jiin Yang, Manu Bhaker, National Shooting Center, Paris 2024 Olympics, Sarabjot Singh, Veronika Major