Manu Bhaker Ends Olympic Run On Historic Note, Coach Jaspal Rana Urges Govt 'To Protect & Preserve Athletes'

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Paris, Aug 3: Indian shooter Manu Bhaker narrowly missed out on a bronze in the women's 25m pistol competition in Paris but still etched her name in the record books as the first-ever Indian to win two medals in a single edition of the Olympic Games post-Independence.

Her performance at Chateauroux Shooting Range, where she finished fourth in the shoot-off with a score of 28, was a testament to the skill and determination of the 22-year-old Haryana girl. Olympics Special Page

In an exclusive interview with Tracking Paris in Paris, Manu Bhaker's coach, Jaspal Rana, reflected on her journey and shared his insights and a poignant message to the Indian government. Rana in a previous interaction with MyKhel had already signalled they had started preparing for the LA Olympics.

Manu Bhaker's Overall Performance

When asked about the nail-biting shoot-off in the final, Rana emphasised the immense pressure athletes face in such critical moments. "It was good. One has to understand, that when a person stands on those lines, they are in a totally different mindset.

"I can't even explain what goes through a person's mind when shooting a shoot-off. Manu did well, and I'm happy for the country that she delivered a strong performance," Rana stated, highlighting Bhaker's resilience and the mental fortitude required in high-stakes competitions.

Reflecting Upon The Journey of Hard Work and Dedication

Rana recounted the arduous 13-month journey leading up to the Olympics, a period marked by intense training and overcoming numerous challenges. "It was a long journey, and it's easy to say 13 months, but it was 13 months of struggle. The chemistry between us was pretty good, and despite the struggles, everything helped us grow stronger. Manu has become a much more mature, strong, and positive athlete," he said.

Rana expressed his belief in Bhaker's potential early on. "I had a very strong feeling that we would come back with something. The way she was performing was exceptional. Anyone who sees her now will notice she is a totally different person. It's an honour to work with her."

Managing Expectations and Public Pressure

Rana also spoke about the intense expectations from the public and the pressure it brings. "When people love you and want to elevate you, they will make you feel like a god. But one must understand that the same public will criticize you if you don't deliver. It's important to be prepared for both. I've seen many ups and downs in my career and worked with many athletes who faced similar challenges," he reflected.

A Call to the Indian Government

Jaspal Rana's message to the Indian government was clear and heartfelt. "I have only one message to the Indian government: We need to preserve and protect our athletes. They are good enough, but the politics within the system kills their potential. Please try to protect our athletes.

"Many young talents just missed out on finals or medals. If the government can guarantee that these kids will receive everything required to compete in the next Olympics, I will be more than happy. That's all I want."

Rana's plea underscores the importance of providing consistent support and resources to athletes, ensuring they can perform at their best on the international stage.