Chateauroux : India's Manu Bhaker poses for a photograph with her bronze medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics during the medal ceremony of the women's 10m air pistol final at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Châteauroux, France, on Sunday, July 28, 2024.(Photo: IANS)
Chateauroux, July 28 (IANS) Manu Bhaker opened India's medal tally at the Paris Olympics as she secured a historic bronze medal in the women’s 10m pistol event with the score of 221.7 in the final, becoming the first Indian women shooter to win a medal at the Olympics.
Manu's bronze medal brings India its first shooting medal in 12 years since Gagan Narang and Vijay Kumar’s successes at the 2012 London Olympics.
South Korea's Oh Ye Jin wins the gold with an Olympic record score of 243.2 points. Another Korean Ki Yejin takes the silver with 241.3 points.
With this medal, the 22-year-old Manu become the fifth Indian shooter to win a medal in the Olympic Games, joining the list of RVS Rathore (2004), Abhinav Bindra (2008), Gagan Narang (2012) and Vijay Kumar (2012), taking India's tally in shooting at the Olympic Games to five medals -- one gold, two silver and two bronze.
Earlier in the day, Manu finished third in the qualification round, becoming the first Indian woman in 20 years to reach an Olympic shooting final in an individual event since Suma Shirur's remarkable performance in 2004.
Notably, she also became the first Indian woman to qualify for the 10m air pistol women’s final at the Olympics.
Manu’s last Olympic appearance in Tokyo 2020 ended in heartbreak when a pistol malfunction during qualifications left her in tears.
She secured India's quota for the Paris Olympics by finishing fifth in the women’s 25m pistol event at the 2023 Asian Shooting Championships.
Paris Olympics: An incredible achievement, PM Modi congratulates Manu Bhaker on historic bronze
The entire country rejoices as the 117-member contingent have won their first medal of the 2024 Paris Olympics through the excellent performance by Manu Bhaker in the women’s 10m air pistol event.
Following the historic performance that saw Bhaker becoming the first women shooter to win a medal at the Games and also the first shooting member to win a medal in Olympics since 2012, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the time to congratulate Manu on her historic feat.
"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," read the post by Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi on X.
Alongside the Prime Minister, the first Indian athlete to win a gold medal at a singles event for India, Abhinav Bindra also congratulated manu on 'bringing pride to India.'
"Heartiest congratulations to Manu Bhaker for clinching the bronze medal in the air pistol event at Paris 2024! Your relentless dedication, hard work, and passion have truly paid off. It's incredible to witness your skill and determination, bringing pride to India with each shot. This achievement is a testament to your perseverance and determination. Keep shining, Manu! #Paris2024 #ProudMoment #ShootingStar @realmanubhaker," said Abhinav Bindra in a post on X.
Manu Bhaker’s score of 221.7 in the final saw her become the fifth Indian to win a medal for India at the Olympics, joining the list of RVS Rathore (2004), Abhinav Bindra (2008), Gagan Narang (2012) and Vijay Kumar (2012), taking India's tally in shooting at the Olympic Games to five medals -- one gold, two silver and two bronze.
"A proud moment, @realmanubhaker wins Bharat's first medal, a BRONZE in Women’s 10m Air Pistol at #ParisOlympic2024! Congratulations Manu, you have displayed your skill & dedication, you have become 1st woman shooter to win an Olympic medal! #Cheer4Bharat," added the post by Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya.
Paris Olympics: Manu's feat is going to inspire many sportspersons, says President Murmu
President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday congratulated shooter Manu Bhaker on winning a historic bronze medal in the 33rd Olympic Games in Paris and said her feat will inspire many sportspersons, especially women.
Manu finished third in the Women's 10m Air Pistol final with a total of 221.7 and opened India's account in the medals tally in Paris on Sunday. She also became the first Indian woman shooter to win a medal in the Olympics.
"Heartiest congratulations to Manu Bhaker for opening India’s medal tally with her bronze medal in the 10m 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 feat is going to inspire many sportspersons, especially women. I wish she scales greater heights of accomplishment in the future," the official account of the President of India wrote on X.
Manu's bronze also ended India's 12-year-long wait for an Olympic medal in shooting. India's last shooting medals came in the 2012 London Olympics when Vijay Kumar won silver in 25m Rapid Fire Pistol and Gagan Narang bagged bronze in 10m Air Rifle.
The 22-year-old from Jhajjar became the fifth Indian shooter to win an Olympic medal after Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore (silver in 2004 in Athens), Abhinav Bindra (gold in 2008 in Beijing), Vijay Kumar and Gagan Narang.
South Korea's Oh Ye-Jin won gold in Women's 10m Air Pistol with a total of 243.2 and a new Olympic Record while her countrymate Kim Ye-Ji took silver with a total score of 241.3.
