A gritty and determined Manu Bhaker became the first Indian woman shooter to win an Olympics medal by snaring a bronze in the 10m Air Pistol event in Chateaurous, France, on Sunday. The medal opened the country’s account in the Games and ended a 12-year wait for its much-hyped shooters.
The last time India won shooting medals at the Olympics was in the 2012 London edition, where Rapid-fire pistol shooter Vijay Kumar and 10m Air rifle marksman Gagan Narang clinched silver and bronze respectively. Narang is the chef de mission of the Paris contingent right now.
The 22-year-old Bhaker, who hails from Jhajjar in Haryana, fought hard to get the bronze with a score of 221.7.
Korea’s Kim Yeji claimed the silver with a total of 241.3, while her compatriot Jin Ye Oh bagged the gold with a Games record of 243.2.
Bhaker is competing in her second Olympics after drawing a blank in the previous edition.
Her sterling efforts did not go unnoticed as congratulations flooded X
President Droupadi Murmu
Heartiest congratulations to Manu Bhaker for opening India’s medal tally with her bronze medal in the 10 metre air pistol shooting event at the Paris Olympics. She is the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal in a shooting competition. India is proud of Manu Bhaker. Her…
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) July 28, 2024
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
A historic medal!
Well done, @realmanubhaker, for winning India’s FIRST medal at #ParisOlympics2024! Congrats for the Bronze. This success is even more special as she becomes the 1st woman to win a medal in shooting for India.
An incredible achievement!#Cheer4Bharat
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 28, 2024
Rahul Gandhi, Leader Of Opposition
Proud to see India clinch its first medal in the Paris #OlympicGames 2024!
Congratulations to @realmanubhaker for the Bronze – first Indian female shooter to win an Olympic medal.
Our daughters have given us a wonderful start. Many more to come 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/9oyEhg7oBF
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 28, 2024
S Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister
Congratulate Manu Bhaker for winning India’s first medal at #Paris2024.
May your achievement inspire so many more in the nation.@realmanubhaker 🥉#Cheer4Bharat
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) July 28, 2024
Randeep Singh Surjewala, Congress Rajya Sabha MP
छा गई, हरियाणा की छोरी !
देश का तिरंगा बुलंद करने वाली, हरियाणा की बेटी @realmanubhaker को ढेरों शुभकामनाएँ।
वर्षों की बेजोड़ मेहनत रंग लाई। टोक्यो ओलंपिक से पैरिस ओलंपिक तक मेहनत का जज्बा, असीम धैर्य व पक्के इरादों ने कामयाबी की बुलंदियों तक पहुँचाया।
हमें और देश को गर्व है… pic.twitter.com/z6w5xvJfN3
— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) July 28, 2024
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Congress General Secretary
देश के लिए बेहद ऐतिहासिक और खुशी का मौका! #ParisOlympics2024 में पहला मेडल लाने के लिए @realmanubhaker को खूब बधाइयां!
यह मौका इसलिए भी ऐतिहासिक है क्योंकि मनु भाकर निशानेबाजी में ओलंपिक पदक जीतने वाली पहली भारतीय महिला हैं।
पूरे देश को आप पर गर्व है। pic.twitter.com/tHzENd7elm
— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) July 28, 2024
