Manu Bhaker is a renowned Indian sport shooter and a double-Olympic medalist, celebrated for her remarkable achievements and dedication. As the youngest Indian to win an ISSF World Cup gold medal, Bhaker has made a significant impact on the sport with her record-breaking performances. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, she made history by winning two bronze medals—one in the women’s 10 meter air pistol event and another in the mixed team event—making her the first Indian woman to earn an Olympic medal in shooting. Her trailblazing career continues to inspire and elevate the profile of Indian shooting on the global stage.
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Early Life and Introduction to Sports
Even as a teenager, Manu Bhaker quickly rose through the ranks to become India’s latest shooting star. Born in Jhajjar, Haryana, a state known for its boxers and wrestlers, Manu Bhaker took to various sports such as tennis, skating, and boxing during her school days. She also participated in ‘thang ta,’ a form of martial arts, winning medals at the national level.
Journey into Shooting
After the 2016 Rio Olympics, a 14-year-old Manu impulsively decided to try her hand at shooting and instantly fell in love with it. Within a week, she asked her father for a sport shooting pistol to hone her craft. Her supportive father, Ram Kishan Bhaker, bought her a gun, a decision that would eventually make Manu Bhaker an Olympian.
Breakthrough and Early Success
At the 2017 national shooting championships, Manu Bhaker stunned Olympian and former world No. 1 Heena Sidhu by shooting a record score of 242.3 to win the 10m Air Pistol final. She followed this by winning a silver medal at the 2017 Asian Junior Championships.
In her International Sport Shooting Federation (ISSF) World Cup debut in 2018 at Guadalajara, Mexico, Manu Bhaker broke the junior world record in the qualification rounds and won the gold medal in the women’s 10m Air Pistol final. She became the youngest Indian to win a gold medal at an ISSF World Cup at just 16 years old.
Physical Stats and More
| Height | In Feet: 5 Feet 7 Inches In Meter: 1.69 m |
| Weight | In Pound: 108 lbs In Kilogram: 54 Kg |
| Figure Measurement | 33-27-33 |
| Eye Colour | Brown |
| Hair Colour | Black |
| Hobbies | Travelling and Listening to Music |
Major Achievements
2018:
- Won gold in the women’s 10m Air Pistol at the Commonwealth Games.
- Became the first Indian shooter to win gold at the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
2019:
- Partnered with Saurabh Chaudhary to win mixed team gold medals at all three ISSF World Cups and at the World Cup final in China.
- Secured an Olympic quota place with a fourth-place finish at the Munich ISSF World Cup.
2021:
- Won gold and silver medals in the 10m Air Pistol at the New Delhi ISSF World Cup.
- Despite being a medal favorite, faced challenges at the Tokyo Olympics due to equipment malfunctions.
2022-2023:
- Won the women’s 25m pistol silver at the Cairo World Championships (2022).
- Clinched gold in the 25m pistol at the Asian Games in Hangzhou (2023).
- Secured an Olympic quota for Paris 2024 after finishing fifth in the women’s 25m pistol at the Asian Shooting Championships in Changwon (2023).
Paris 2024 Olympics
Manu Bhaker made history at the Paris 2024 Olympics by winning two bronze medals, becoming the first Indian woman to secure an Olympic shooting medal. Her remarkable achievement began with a bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol event, where she scored 221.7 and finished third. This victory also marked India’s first medal at the Paris Games. Bhaker’s success continued in the mixed 10m air pistol team event, where she, alongside Sarabjot Singh, clinched another bronze medal. This accomplishment made her the first Indian to win two medals in a single Olympics since the country’s independence. Bhaker has credited her coach, Jaspal Rana, for his significant role in her historic performance.
Personal Life
Age: Born on February 18, 2002, Manu Bhaker is currently 22 years old.
Boyfriend: Manu Bhaker has kept her personal life private, and there are no public details available about her relationship status.
Net Worth
Manu Bhaker’s net worth is estimated to be around $1 million, primarily from her sports earnings, endorsements, and sponsorships.
Manu Bhaker Social Media Presence
- Instagram: @bhakermanu
- Twitter: @realmanubhaker
- Facebook: Manu Bhaker
Records and Honors
Manu Bhaker has set several records and received numerous honors throughout her career, including:
- Youngest Indian to win a gold medal at an ISSF World Cup.
- First Indian shooter to win gold at the Youth Olympics.
- First Indian woman shooter to win an Olympic medal.
- First Indian athlete to win two medals at a single edition of the Olympics at the 2024 Paris Summer Games
- Multiple gold medals at ISSF World Cups, Commonwealth Games, and Asian Games.
Conclusion
Manu Bhaker’s journey from a teenager trying out shooting to becoming a celebrated Olympian is inspiring. Her resilience, skill, and dedication have earned her numerous accolades and made her a role model for aspiring athletes in India and beyond. As she continues to compete and bring glory to her nation, her legacy in Indian sports history is firmly established.