Shooting for Gold: Manu Bhaker Eyes Further Glory After Groundbreaking Paris Olympics

Manu Bhaker's remarkable Paris Olympics campaign concluded on the 3rd August, as she finished in fourth place in the 25m sport pistol event. After securing two medals from two prior events during the week, a third medal seemed doable, showcasing the high expectations she has set with her outstanding performances.

Despite narrowly missing the third medal, Bhaker has still orchestrated a record-breaking campaign for both herself and Indian shooting. Having dismissed the narrative surrounding the Tokyo mishap, she's rewritten history with her two bronze medals, a commendable feat at only 22.

After the match, an emotional Bhaker shared her forward-looking mindset, indicating that her attention had already shifted towards future pursuits, motivated to outdo her previous achievements. This thirst for constant improvement is a key characteristic that separates the great athletes from the good ones.

Bhaker aims to surpass her Olympic record in the upcoming 2028 Games in Los Angeles. For now, though, the planning towards that goal begins. As stated by Ronak Pandit, India's 25m pistol coach, the strategy now is to give her some time to savour her accomplishments while guiding her to better preparation for future competitions. 

However, given the intense level of competition in Indian shooting, Bhaker can't rest on her laurels. The Indian federation follows a rigid, numbers-based selection process, highlighting the thin margins between top competitors. Bhaker, for instance, wasn't among India's top three in the 10m air pistol category at the Asian Games squad in October, where she bagged her two Olympic medals.

In conclusion, unlike her contemporaries like Neeraj Chopra or PV Sindhu, Bhaker faces stiff competition even at a national level, but this young shooter's sights are firmly set on even more impressive achievements in the future.