Manu Bhaker Wins India’s First Medal at Paris Olympics 2024: Bronze in 10m Air Pistol
As the Paris Olympics 2024 kicks off, India proudly celebrates its first medal of the Games. Manu Bhaker, a 22-year-old shooter, has earned a bronze in the women's 10m air pistol event. This monumental achievement not only opens India’s medal tally but also marks Bhaker as the first female Indian shooter to win an Olympic medal. Let’s delve into Bhaker’s journey and the broader performance of Indian shooters at this year’s Olympics.
Manu Bhaker: Shining Star in Shooting
Manu Bhaker's ascent to Olympic success is a story of talent, hard work, and determination. Throughout the competition, Bhaker showcased exceptional skill and composure, consistently holding a top-three position. Heading into the final shot, she was narrowly trailing in second place by just 0.1 points but ultimately secured the bronze, solidifying her status as a world-class athlete.
This victory not only contributes to India’s medal count but also raises hopes of surpassing the nation’s previous record of seven medals at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Bhaker’s stellar performance has set a promising tone for the Indian contingent in Paris.
Qualification Round Highlights
Bhaker’s journey to the final was marked by a strong showing in the qualifications. She finished third with a score of 580, overcoming a challenging day for Indian shooters on July 27. Hungarian shooter Veronika Major topped the qualifications with a score of 582, while Bhaker's compatriot, Rhythm Sangwan, finished 15th with a score of 573.
Bhaker started off strong with 97 points in the first series, placing her in fourth position. She maintained her form with another 97 in the second series. Despite Sangwan slipping to 26th after a poor round, Bhaker moved up to second place after an impressive 98 in the third series. An 8 in the fifth series was her only significant misstep, but she secured her place in the final, where she excelled.
Other Indian Performances
Bhaker’s bronze isn’t the only highlight for Indian shooters at the Paris Olympics. Ramita Jindal also made headlines by qualifying for the final in the women's 10m air rifle event. Jindal secured fifth place in the qualifications with a score of 631.5, following in Bhaker's footsteps. However, Elavenil Valarivan narrowly missed out on the final, finishing 10th with a score of 630.7.
Ramita Jindal: A Historic Qualification
Ramita Jindal’s qualification is a significant milestone for Indian shooting. She is the second Indian female shooter in 20 years, after Manu Bhaker, to reach the medal round. Additionally, she is the first Indian female rifle shooter to make it to the Olympic final since her coach, Suma Shirur, did in Athens 2004.
Jindal’s performance was exceptional. She scored 631.5 and secured her spot in the final during the last series, finishing fifth in the rankings. Elavenil Valarivan, who led at the halfway mark, dropped significantly in the next three series, ultimately finishing 10th.
Detailed Performance Analysis
Ramita began the competition with impressive scores of 10.5 and 10.9, placing her third after the first two shots. Valarivan started with a shot of 10.6, putting her in 8th place but quickly climbed to 3rd as Ramita dropped in the rankings. Valarivan maintained consistency, with her lowest score in the first eight shots being 10.4, tying for 5th place.
Ramita concluded her first round with a score of 104.3 and started the second series strong with 21 points after two shots. Valarivan finished her first series with 105.8 points, putting her in 4th place, and began the second series with a 10.4 score. Ramita steadily rose in the rankings, achieving a score of 10.9 with her 14th shot, edging closer to the top 10.
Valarivan's first five shots of the second series earned her 53 points, solidifying her position in the top three. Ramita finished the second series with 106 points and started the third series strong, scoring 31.3 and moving to 6th place. Valarivan ended the second series with 106.1 points, securing the second spot.
Climactic Moments in the Qualifiers
The third series began well for Valarivan, who moved to the top spot after hitting 10.6 three times with her first three shots. Ramita faced some challenges but managed to recover and stay within the top 8. However, the third series didn’t end well for either shooter. Ela scored 104.4, and Ramita managed 104.9, but both reentered the top 8 with strong starts to the fourth series.
In the fifth series, Ela remained in contention, but Ramita slipped out of the top 8 after a few subpar shots. Ela began the final series with a 10.4, followed by a 10.9. However, Ramita surpassed her compatriot as Ela gradually slipped out of contention, finishing in 10th place after her 59th shot scored only 9.8 points, ending with a total of 630.7 points. Ramita maintained her strong performance and concluded with 105.7 points in the final round.
Read More: Julian Alvarez’s Final Quest: Olympic Gold at Paris 2024
Conclusion: A Promising Start for India
Manu Bhaker's bronze medal has set an encouraging tone for India at the Paris Olympics 2024. Her journey, marked by exceptional skill and unwavering determination, is a source of inspiration for athletes everywhere. Alongside Bhaker, Ramita Jindal's historic qualification for the final further highlights the strength and potential of Indian shooters on the global stage. As the Games progress, India aims to build on these successes and achieve even greater heights.
