Manu Bhaker commands attention as India’s most decorated female shooter. Her story is one of relentless precision and mental strength on the world stage.
She rewrote history at the Paris Olympics. This athlete became the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal in shooting. She secured a bronze in the 10m air pistol event.
Her performance didn’t stop there. She earned a second bronze in the mixed team pistol event. This made her the first athlete from independent India to win two medals at a single Games.
Born in 2002 in rural Haryana, her journey to the top of the shooting world was rapid. She transformed from a multi-sport talent into a world-class pistol specialist. Each medal tells a story of growth and resilience.
Her hands, steady and sure, have collected an astonishing haul of honors. They tell a story far beyond her years, a testament to what focus can achieve.
Early Beginnings and Personal Background
Long before Olympic glory, a young athlete’s journey began with a blend of intellectual rigor and physical discipline at home. Her family in Goria, a small village in Haryana, valued both education and athletic ambition.
Childhood in Haryana and Family Influence
Her father, a chief engineer in the Merchant Navy, and her mother, a Sanskrit scholar and former school principal, created a unique environment. This foundation gave her the confidence to excel in multiple domains from a very young age.
Her mother introduced her to the Bhagavad Gita. This text became a practical tool for managing competitive pressure, teaching focus on action over outcome.
Academic Journey and Early Sports Involvement
Before she ever held a pistol, she was a standout in other sports. She earned national-level medals in tennis, skating, boxing, and the Manipuri martial art thang-ta.
| Sport | Competition Level | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|---|
| Tennis & Skating | National Games | Developed hand-eye coordination |
| Boxing & Thang-Ta | National Games | Built mental toughness and discipline |
| Multiple Sports | School Level | Fostered a competitive instinct |
At age 14, a visit to a shooting range changed everything. Within a week, she asked her father for a pistol. He invested significantly to launch her new career.
She balanced this new passion with academics. She earned a degree in Political Science from Lady Shri Ram College and later pursued a master’s in Public Administration.
Rise to International Acclaim
Her first coach, Anil Jakhar, recognized something special in the young athlete’s approach. The transition from multi-sport background to competitive shooting happened with astonishing speed. Within months, she was ready for international competition.
First Forays into Competitive Shooting
The 2017 Asian Junior Championships delivered her first international medal. A silver in the air pistol event signaled her arrival. Back home, she made a stunning statement at the National Games.
Facing World Cup medalist Heena Sidhu, the teenager broke the national record. Her score of 242.3 points in the 10m air pistol final announced a new force in Indian shooting. Nine gold medals at that event confirmed her dominance.
Early Records and Breakthrough Performances
2018 became a landmark year filled with gold medal performances. Her World Cup debut in Guadalajara, Mexico turned heads worldwide. She won the women’s 10m air pistol event with a score of 237.5.
Hours later, she claimed another gold in the mixed team pistol event. The Commonwealth Games brought another record-breaking performance. Her final score of 240.9 points set a new Games record.
The Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires made history. She became the first Indian shooter to win gold at this level. A silver in the mixed team event completed an incredible year.
| Competition | Event | Achievement | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISSF World Cup, Mexico | Women’s 10m Air Pistol | Gold Medal | Youngest Indian World Cup champion |
| Commonwealth Games | 10m Air Pistol Final | Gold with Record Score | New Commonwealth Games record |
| Youth Olympics | Women’s 10m Air Pistol | Gold Medal | First Indian gold at Youth Olympics |
| Junior World Cups | Multiple Events | Multiple Gold Medals | Dominance in age-group competition |
Manu Bhaker: The Journey of a Champion
The year 2019 marked a period of unprecedented dominance for the young shooter. Her partnership with Saurabh Chaudhary became the talk of the shooting world.
Debut on the World Stage and Rapid Rise
Together, they achieved a perfect sweep in the pistol mixed team event. They won gold at all four ISSF World Cups that year. The pair dominated in New Delhi, Beijing, Munich, and Rio de Janeiro.
This incredible run continued at the World Cup Final in Putian. There, she also claimed individual gold with a score of 244.7. The performance secured her qualification for the Tokyo Olympics.
| Competition Location | Event Type | Result | Points Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Delhi | Air Pistol Mixed Team | Gold Medal | Top Qualification |
| Beijing | Pistol Mixed Team | Gold Medal | Stage 1 Leaders |
| Munich | 10m Air Pistol Mixed | Gold Medal | Consistent Performance |
| Rio de Janeiro | Pistol Mixed Event | Gold Medal | Final Victory |
Overcoming Setbacks and Pistol Malfunctions
Tokyo brought unexpected challenges. During the 10m air pistol qualification, her equipment failed. She had to leave the range to fix the malfunction.
Despite returning to complete her shots, the disruption cost her a place in the final. She finished 12th overall. The mixed team event also ended in disappointment.
Training, Mentorship, and Coaching Influence
After Tokyo, she turned to philosophical teachings for mental strength. The focus shifted to action rather than outcome. In 2023, she reunited with coach Jaspal Rana.
Their training replicated Olympic match conditions daily. This rigorous preparation built resilience for future competitions. The partnership marked a significant turning point.
Highlights from Major Competitions
The medal collection showcases remarkable consistency, with victories at World Cups, Asian Games, and historic Olympic breakthroughs.
Medal Wins at World Cups, Commonwealth, and Asian Games
Her Paris 2024 performance delivered two Olympic medals. The women’s 10m air pistol bronze came after a strong qualification score of 580. She missed silver by just 0.1 point in the final.
Days later, she partnered with Sarabjot Singh for another bronze in the pistol mixed team event. This made her the first Indian athlete to win two medals at a single Games.
The 2018 Commonwealth Games gold featured a record-breaking score of 240.9. At the 2022 Asian Games, she secured team gold in the 25m pistol event with teammates Esha Singh and Rhythm Sangwan.
Notable Performances at the Youth and Junior Events
Youth competitions revealed exceptional talent early. The 2018 Youth Olympics brought gold in the 10m air pistol with a score of 236.5.
She also earned silver in the mixed team event that year. Junior World Championships produced multiple gold medals, including four at the 2021 Lima event.
Her World Cup record stands at 13 gold medals across various locations. This includes victories in New Delhi, Munich, and other major competitions.
| Competition | Event | Medal | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paris Olympics | Women’s 10m Air Pistol | Bronze | 2024 |
| Asian Games | 25m Pistol Team | Gold | 2022 |
| Commonwealth Games | 10m Air Pistol | Gold | 2018 |
| Youth Olympics | 10m Air Pistol | Gold | 2018 |
| World Championships | 25m Pistol Team | Silver | 2023 |
Final Reflections on Manu Bhaker’s Legacy
Her legacy extends far beyond the Olympic podium, reshaping what’s possible for Indian women in sport. The 2025 Khel Ratna award recognized this impact, making her the youngest Indian shooter to receive India’s highest sporting honor at age 23.
With two Olympic medals, 22 World Championship and World Cup medals, and 10 Asian-level honors, her record speaks to remarkable consistency. Her partnership with coach Jaspal Rana proved crucial, building the mental strength needed for Paris success after Tokyo’s disappointment.
This athlete balanced elite performance with academic pursuits, graduating from Lady Shri Ram College while pursuing a master’s degree. Her story continues to inspire, with each competition adding to a legacy that will influence generations of women athletes.
