What Special Joy Did Kiren Rijiju Experience Meeting Double-Olympics Medallist Manu Bhaker?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Manu Bhaker made history by winning two medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
- She overcame challenges from her previous Olympic experience, showing resilience.
- Interaction with Kiren Rijiju highlights the importance of supporting athletes.
- Her journey inspires future generations of athletes in India.
- Continued participation in international competitions showcases her commitment.
On November 29, in New Delhi, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju had the pleasure of meeting Manu Bhaker at his residence, expressing a unique joy in engaging with the Double-Olympic medallist.
Following her disappointing experience at the Tokyo Olympics, where a pistol malfunction prevented her from securing a medal, the 22-year-old Manu made history during the 2024 Paris Olympics by becoming the first Indian athlete to win two medals in a single Olympic event since Independence.
Rijiju shared on X, “There’s a special joy in meeting our athletes who bring pride to India on the global stage. Today, I had the honor to interact with Double-Olympic medallist @realmanubhaker at my home. Her dedication, zeal, and commitment are inspiring the dreams of future athletes.”
Manu earned her first medal at the Paris Olympics by winning bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol category. Shortly thereafter, she partnered with Sarabjot Singh to clinch another bronze in the mixed team event.
She came close to winning a historic third medal, finishing fourth in the women’s 25m pistol event after being tied for third with Hungary's Veronika Major, a former world record holder, before narrowly missing out in the shoot-off.
At the recent ISSF World Championships held in Cairo, she missed the podium despite scoring 586 in the rapid-fire rounds, advancing confidently to the top eight. However, in the final, she faced tough competition, losing out in the shoot-off.