Indian shooters Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh have etched their names into the annals of Olympic history by clinching a bronze medal in the 10m air pistol mixed team shooting event at the Paris 2024 Olympics. This remarkable achievement marks India’s sixth Olympic medal in shooting and the first-ever in a shooting team event. Manu Bhaker’s exceptional performance also distinguishes her as the first athlete from independent India to win two medals in a single edition of the Olympics. Her earlier feat came on Sunday when she became the first Indian woman to secure an Olympic medal in shooting. Let’s dive into the details of this historic victory and the journey of these two extraordinary athletes.
Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh: A Dynamic Duo
Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh showcased their prowess at the National Shooting Center in Chateauroux, where they faced the Republic of Korea’s Oh Ye Jin and Wonho Lee in the bronze medal match. The Indian pair triumphed with a score of 16-10, thanks to their remarkable precision and resilience. Oh Ye Jin, the gold medalist in the women’s 10m air pistol event earlier in the competition, provided stiff competition, but Bhaker and Singh rose to the occasion.
A Strong Start and a Historic Finish
The match began with Manu Bhaker’s impressive 10.2 on her opening shot. Despite Sarabjot Singh’s initial stumble with an 8.6, he quickly regained his composure, delivering scores of 10.5, 10.4, and 10, which propelled India to a six-point lead. Bhaker maintained her exceptional form, consistently hitting scores of 10 on her first seven shots. However, the South Koreans, led by Oh Ye Jin, fought back from an 8-2 deficit to close the gap to 14-10.
Indian shooters Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh have etched their names into the annals of Olympic history by clinching a bronze medal in the 10m air pistol mixed team shooting event at the Paris 2024 Olympics. This remarkable achievement marks India’s sixth Olympic medal in shooting and the first-ever in a shooting team event. Manu Bhaker’s exceptional performance also distinguishes her as the first athlete from independent India to win two medals in a single edition of the Olympics. Her earlier feat came on Sunday when she became the first Indian woman to secure an Olympic medal in shooting. Let’s dive into the details of this historic victory and the journey of these two extraordinary athletes.
Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh: A Dynamic Duo
Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh showcased their prowess at the National Shooting Center in Chateauroux, where they faced the Republic of Korea’s Oh Ye Jin and Wonho Lee in the bronze medal match. The Indian pair triumphed with a score of 16-10, thanks to their remarkable precision and resilience. Oh Ye Jin, the gold medalist in the women’s 10m air pistol event earlier in the competition, provided stiff competition, but Bhaker and Singh rose to the occasion.
A Strong Start and a Historic Finish
The match began with Manu Bhaker’s impressive 10.2 on her opening shot. Despite Sarabjot Singh’s initial stumble with an 8.6, he quickly regained his composure, delivering scores of 10.5, 10.4, and 10, which propelled India to a six-point lead. Bhaker maintained her exceptional form, consistently hitting scores of 10 on her first seven shots. However, the South Koreans, led by Oh Ye Jin, fought back from an 8-2 deficit to close the gap to 14-10.
In a nail-biting finish, Oh Ye Jin struck a 9 on her final shot, while her partner managed a 9.5. Manu Bhaker’s 9.4 left the outcome in Sarabjot Singh’s hands, and he delivered with a decisive 10.2, securing the bronze medal for India. “It’s great. The first medal was really good and again the fight was really tough,” Manu said. “It was neck to neck with each shot, like with my first bronze. But the last shot was Sarabjot’s, so big up to him.”
Shooting Precision and Team Strategy
The Indian shooters demonstrated exceptional accuracy throughout the match, with 19 out of their 26 shots hitting at least a score of 10, compared to the South Koreans’ 12. This precision was a testament to their meticulous preparation and teamwork, allowing them to overcome formidable opponents and claim victory on the world stage.
The Journey to the Bronze Medal
Qualifying for the Bronze Medal Match
On Monday, Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh secured their spot in the bronze medal match by finishing third in the qualifying round. They trailed behind Turkiye’s Sevval Ilayda Tarhan-Yusuf Dikec and Serbia’s Zorana Arunovic-Damir Mikec, who eventually clinched the gold medal with a 16-14 win over Turkiye. The competition featured 17 teams, with the top two qualifying for the gold medal match and the third and fourth teams competing for bronze.
A Historic Achievement for Indian Shooting
India’s sixth Olympic medal in shooting at Paris 2024 underscores the country’s growing prominence in the sport. This achievement also marks the second time Indian shooters have secured two medals in shooting at a single Olympic edition, with the previous instance occurring at London 2012. During that event, Vijay Kumar won silver in the men’s 25m rapid-fire pistol, and Gagan Narang earned bronze in the men’s 10m air rifle.
A Decade of Challenges Overcome
India faced challenges in shooting events at the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympics, failing to secure medals. However, the success at Paris 2024 signals a resurgence in the nation’s shooting prowess, with Bhaker and Singh leading the charge.
The Legacy of Indian Shooters
Pioneers in Olympic Shooting
India’s journey in Olympic shooting began with Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, who won the country’s first Olympic medal in the sport with a silver at Athens 2004 in the men’s double trap. Abhinav Bindra followed suit by winning India’s only gold medal in shooting at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in the men’s 10m air rifle.
The Future of Indian Shooting
Manu Bhaker’s participation in the women’s 25m pistol event, scheduled to start on Friday, represents a promising opportunity for further success. She stands as the only athlete from the 21-member Indian shooting team to compete in multiple individual events at Paris 2024, exemplifying her dedication and versatility.
Challenges and Triumphs in Shooting Events
Prithviraj Tondaiman’s Performance
In the men’s trap qualification round, India’s Prithviraj Tondaiman finished 21st with an overall score of 118/125 across five rounds. Although he did not progress to the six-man final from a field of 30 shooters, his efforts reflect the competitive nature of the event.
Also Read: Union Budget 2024: Insights from India’s leading women in Business
Women’s Trap Event
In the women’s trap event, which commenced on Tuesday, Indian shooters Rajeshwari Kumari and Shreyasi Singh scored 68, placing them in 21st and 22nd positions, respectively, after Day 1. Their performances highlight the challenges faced by Indian athletes in the international arena and their potential for growth and development.
The Impact of the Paris 2024 Olympics
Inspiring a New Generation of Shooters
The achievements of Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh serve as an inspiration for aspiring shooters across India. Their success showcases the possibilities that arise from dedication, hard work, and perseverance, motivating a new generation of athletes to pursue excellence in the sport.
Strengthening India’s Shooting Ecosystem
The Paris 2024 Olympics have underscored the importance of continued investment in India’s shooting ecosystem. With enhanced training facilities, coaching, and support, Indian shooters can further elevate their performance on the global stage and continue to bring glory to the nation.
