Chateauroux, July 30: The debate on who is the greatest Indian Olympian ever has truly started. Manu Bhaker, who became the first Indian woman to win more than one medal in a single Olympics, is certainly on the cusp of greatness.
After clinching a Paris 2024 10m air pistol bronze on Saturday, the 22-year-old won her second bronze in the 10m mixed air pistol final here on Tuesday. Bhaker teamed up with Olympics debutant Sarabjot Singh to outsmart Korea for a podium finish.
Paris seems to have a connection with India’s Olympic records. In the 1900 iteration of the Summer Games, Kolkata-born Norman Pritchard was the first Asian-born sprinter to win an Olympic medal. According to the International Olympic Committee records, Pritchard, a Briton, represented India at the 1900 Olympics in Paris and won two silver medals in athletics.
Post-independence, India have produced sportspersons like Sushil Kumar and PV Sindhu who have won an Olympic medal in two different Games. Sindhu won a badminton silver at Rio 2016 and bronze at Tokyo 2020. Wrestler Sushil Kumar won bronze at Beijing 2008 and silver at London 2012.
Manu Bhaker already has two medals at Paris 2024 and she could end up with a significant hattrick if she finishes on the podium in her favourite event – 25m sports pistol – on August 3. She is the reigning Asian Games champion in this event.
The 22-year-old Bhaker, a firm believer in the sacred Bhagavad Gita and karma, chooses to remain humble and does not think she is already an icon in Olympic sports in India, especially shooting.
“I continue to look up to Neeraj Chopra and PV Sindhu. For me, Abhinav (sir) is a legend. If you think that I am an icon, then it’s for you to say,” Bhaker said with a broad grin, adding: “all I need from everyone is their love, support and prayers so that I can continue winning.”
Bhaker feels her medals could inspire a new generation of women to play a sport and make it a career option. “We still have major issues with women in sports in India. That needs to change,” she told Herald.
Beijing gold medallist Bindra has been for long the face of Indian shooting. Chopra became the new ambassador for India in Olympic sports after his javelin exploits at Tokyo 2020 and world athletics championships. If Bhaker finishes with a gold medal at Paris 2024, she will certainly match them all.