'Read a lot of Gita': 22-year-old Manu Bhaker after scripting history in Paris

Manu Bhaker on Sunday scripted history by becoming the first Indian woman shooter to win a medal in the Olympics, clinching a bronze in the 10m Air Pistol event in Paris Games 2024.

This achievement marks a significant milestone for Indian shooting, as the country's shooters had not won any medals in the last two Olympics, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.

In a post victory conversation with JioCinema, when asked about her mindset during the final moments of the competition, Bhaker revealed that she drew inspiration from the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita.


"I read a lot of Gita and all, so what was going through my mind is its teaching, 'just do what you are meant to do, just do what you are supposed to do and whatever the destiny, you can't control the outcome of it'. In the Gita, Krishna says to Arjun 'You know you focus on your karma and not on the outcome of the Karma', so only that was running through my mind. I was like, 'Okay, just do your thing and let it all be from here,” the bronze medallist told JioCinema.

Also Read: Paris Olympics: India open their medal tally as Manu Bhaker clinches bronze in women's 10 m air pistol shooting

With a score of 221.7 at the Chateauroux Shooting Centre, Bhaker's bronze medal is India's first shooting medal in 12 years, following the successes of Gagan Narang and Vijay Kumar at the London Olympics.

The 22-year-old shooter said India ‘deserves even more medals.’

“I feel great and it was a medal long due for India. I was just merely a mode to do it and India deserves even more medals, as many as possible. We are looking forward to as many events as possible this time. And the entire team has worked really hard. And personally, for me, the feeling is really surreal," said Manu soon after winning the medal.

Also Read: Olympics 2024 India Medals: Check full list of winners from Indian squad in Paris

Bhaker also shared her thoughts on her performance and the effort she put in to win the bronze medal.

"I feel that I did a good job, put in a lot of effort, and even till the last shot I was just fighting with all the energy that I had. This was bronze. But I'm really grateful that I could win, maybe a better result next time,” said Manu in the post-event interview.

She went on and thanked her friends and family back home for standing by her at every step in this journey.

Moving ahead, Manu Bhaker will be playing 10 m air pistol mixed qualifiers alongside Sarabhjot Singh on July 29 at 12.45 PM. She will also be taking part in the 25 m air pistol qualifiers scheduled for August 2.