Indian shooter Manu Bhaker, who narrowly missed out on a bronze medal in the women’s 25-meter pistol final at the Paris Olympics on Saturday, took to X to express her gratitude and reflect on her journey. Despite finishing fourth in the final, losing the bronze medal to Hungary’s Veronika Major by the slimmest of margins, Bhaker remains proud of her accomplishments. The 22-year-old shooter gave her best in a tense final, even holding the top spot briefly, but ultimately finished fourth.
Bhaker, who returns home with two bronze medals in the women’s 10m air pistol and the mixed team 10m air pistol with partner Sarabjot Singh, acknowledged the immense pressure she felt during the competition. “I got really nervous about it, but again, I was trying my best to keep calm and just do my best. But that was not enough,” she admitted after the event.
Reflecting on her journey, Bhaker shared an emotional message on X, expressing her gratitude to those who supported her along the way. “I am extremely overwhelmed by the support and wishes that have been coming in. Winning 2 bronze medals is a dream come true. This achievement is not just mine but belongs to everyone who has believed in me and supported me along the way.”
She thanked her family, coach Jaspal Rana, and the various organizations that backed her, including the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), Sports Authority of India (SAI), Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ), Performax, and the Haryana government.
Bhaker also expressed her pride in competing for her country, saying, “Competing and performing at the biggest stage for my country is a moment of immense pride and joy.” Though her campaign ended on a bittersweet note, Bhaker remains optimistic, stating, “Thank you all for being a part of this incredible journey and for standing by me through every step. Your encouragement means the world to me! A bittersweet end to my campaign in Paris but happy to contribute to #TeamINDIA’s success. Jai Hind!”
