My Greatest Pride is Being a Khel Ratna Awardee: Manu Bhaker
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Synopsis
Manu Bhaker, after receiving the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, expressed immense pride in being recognized as a Khel Ratna Awardee. She made history at the 2024 Paris Olympics, becoming the first Indian to win two medals in a single edition, achieving bronze in both the women's 10m air pistol and the mixed team event.
Key Takeaways
- Manu Bhaker is a Khel Ratna Awardee.
- First Indian female athlete with two Olympic medals in one edition.
- Bronze in women's 10m air pistol at the Paris Olympics.
- Partnered with Sarabjot Singh for mixed team bronze.
- India finished with six medals at the 2024 Olympics.
New Delhi, Jan 17 (NationPress) After receiving the esteemed Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award from President Droupadi Murmu, Indian shooting star Manu Bhaker expressed, “the greatest pride is that I’ll always be recognized as a Khel Ratna Awardee”. Manu made history as the first Indian athlete to secure two medals in a single edition of the Summer Olympic Games in Paris, achieving a double bronze in the 10m air pistol and 10m air pistol mixed team event.
“Khel Ratna is a significant accolade; my greatest pride is that I’ll forever be recognized as a Khel Ratna Awardee. Awards and recognitions like these will continuously inspire me to push harder and earn more medals for my nation,” Manu shared with IANS.
The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award stands as India's highest sporting distinction.
Following a challenging Tokyo Olympics campaign, where a pistol malfunction derailed her chances of winning a medal, the 22-year-old Manu achieved remarkable success at the 2024 Paris Olympics, becoming the first Indian to earn two medals in a single Olympic event since Independence.
She secured her first medal at the Paris Olympics by winning bronze in the women's 10m air pistol. Shortly after, she partnered with Sarabjot Singh to clinch bronze in the 10m air pistol mixed team event. “As our nation progresses, the day we achieve even better performances and secure double-digit medals at the Olympics is not too far away. I eagerly anticipate that day; let’s all rally behind the government, athletes, and emerging talents,” she remarked.
She also narrowly missed her historic third medal, finishing fourth in the women's 25m pistol event. Manu was initially tied for third place with former world record holder (25m pistol) Veronika Major of Hungary but fell short in the shoot-off series, allowing the Hungarian to take the podium.
India concluded the 2024 Paris Olympics with a total of six medals, comprising five bronzes and one silver, ranking 71st in the overall medal tally.
