Manu Bhaker eyes historic third medal at Paris Olympics — Can the pistol pro make the perfect shot?

India's pistol ace Manu Bhaker is on the brink of securing a historic third successive medal at the ongoing Paris Olympics. Bhaker has positioned herself as a top contender in the 25m sports pistol competition after finishing second in the qualifications with an impressive score of 590.

Given her status as the reigning world champion in the 25m category, a third-medal finish appears highly likely.

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The athlete from Jhajjar, Haryana, has already claimed bronze medals in both the 10m air pistol and the 10m air pistol mixed team events, partnering with Sarabjot Singh.

Achieving this would make Bhaker the first Indian athlete ever to earn three medals at a single Olympics.

Manu, the second youngest Indian athlete to win an Olympic medal, showcased a sterling performance following a setback at the Tokyo Games due to a pistol malfunction. Her success came after intense determination sparked by previous heartbreak.

Manu mentioned that missing out at the Tokyo Games made her cherish her medals even more. She looks up to Neeraj Chopra and PV Sindhu for their proven excellence.

"I look up to ace javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra and Sindhu because they have proved themselves," Manu said earlier.

Manu Bhaker's schedule

The 22-year-old Manu Bhaker will aim for a historic third Olympic medal during the women's 25-meter air pistol final on Saturday, August 3, starting at 1 PM.

Bhaker made history on Friday by securing her place in the final and becoming the first Indian shooter to reach three finals in a single edition of the Olympics.

Manu Bhaker: India's pistol ace

Manu Bhaker, born on February 18, 2002, in Jhajjar, Haryana, initially excelled in sports like tennis, skating, and martial arts before discovering shooting at age 14.

Encouraged by her father, she quickly made a mark, winning the 10m Air Pistol final at the 2017 national championships and gold at the ISSF World Cup debut in 2018.

Bhaker continued to shine, securing numerous gold medals in junior and senior events, including at the Commonwealth Games and Youth Olympics.

Despite a challenging Tokyo Olympics, she rebounded with notable performances, including a silver at the 2022 ISSF World Championships and a gold at the 2023 Asian Games.