Manu Bhaker Aims To Go Bigger Than Bronze, Sets Sights On Greater Heights

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Indian shooting star Manu Bhaker, fresh from her double bronze-winning feat at the Paris Olympics, remains grounded despite her achievements.

Speaking at the Tata Steel Trailblazers 3.0 Conclave, organized by RevSportz, Bhaker opened up about how life has changed since her historic performance while maintaining her characteristic humility and determination.

The young Olympian, known for her sharp focus and mental toughness, recalled an amusing moment from her journey: "Didi, where do you get a pistol for cheap?" she quipped. Despite being a world-class shooter, she still cherishes the simple joys of life, like her love for aloo parathas, though she doesn't indulge too often.

While she was hopeful for a third medal in Paris, she understands the challenges of elite competition. "I know how difficult it is to finish fourth," she admitted. Confident in India's shooting talent, Bhaker emphasized the country's natural ability in the sport. "Indian shooters are brilliant. We are right there at the top, and we are naturally good at it. We are very sharp mentally. We must just keep focus and keep going at it," she stated.

Bhaker's journey has been nothing short of inspiring. From winning her first Commonwealth Games medal at just 16 to her redemption in Paris after a disappointing Tokyo Olympics campaign, she has proven herself as one of India's finest shooting talents. Reflecting on her early successes, she shared, "I didn't realise the importance of it when I won a Commonwealth Games medal for the first time. I was 16 years old. It was difficult for me to understand. Then, I realised. We can get to greater heights. We have the talent in our country. There are able coaches and athletes. We just have to make sure that we are investing in the right things."

Beyond being an elite athlete, Bhaker sees herself as part of a larger movement for change in Indian sports. She firmly believes in the potential of women in sports and society. "We can make a lot of changes. We women can do a lot of things. It's a matter of changing how we think about certain things. Talent is not a problem. We need belief. And we have it. There are a lot of people making a big difference. Going ahead, we can do better. It's not about the bronze. We can hear the national anthem on the biggest stage," she said.

As Manu Bhaker continues her journey, her words and achievements serve as an inspiration for aspiring athletes across India. With her unwavering focus and belief, she is determined to take Indian shooting to even greater heights.