Manu Bhaker, the Indian shooter, had a moment of vulnerability during the final of the women’s 10m air pistol event at the Paris 2024 Olympics. She momentarily turned away from the target, her eyes seeking solace in the crowd. Her gaze fell upon her coach, Jaspal Rana, a figure she had identified earlier amidst the sea of faces. Two consecutive low scores had pushed her out of the medal bracket, and she needed reassurance. Rana responded with a silent gesture, a clenched fist brought close to his chest, a wordless message that conveyed ‘be brave, you have everything you need within you.’
The moment of nervousness passed. Manu returned to the target, her gaze unwavering. She fired, the digital board flashing 10.3, securing her place back within the medal contention. She would not falter again. The final was a nerve-wracking battle, with experienced shooters like Veronica Major, Tarhan Sevval Ilayda, and Jiang Ranxin succumbing to the pressure. Despite an early slip, Manu remained in the medal race, even briefly holding the silver position.
Ultimately, a 10.5 score from South Korea’s Yeji Kim in the final shot edged her out, leaving Manu with a bronze medal and a bittersweet smile. Tears welled up as the medal was placed around her neck, a culmination of both joy and a hint of what could have been.
This victory was a testament to Manu’s journey of resilience. Just a few years ago, she was devastated after a disappointing performance at the Tokyo Olympics, where she struggled across three events. This followed a very public disagreement with Rana, leading to a period of turmoil and disillusionment for the young shooter. She even contemplated pursuing a career in civil services.
However, she ultimately sought solace and guidance from Rana once again. Their relationship, once fractured, was rebuilt on a foundation of trust and mutual respect. Rana, a former Olympian himself, employed an unconventional training method that pushed Manu to her limits, instilling mental toughness and resilience.
His methodology included setting challenging targets and imposing financial penalties for missed goals, with the collected money going to charity. This was a deliberate attempt to replicate the pressure of competition, even during routine training.
Manu, in turn, credits her ability to stay calm under pressure to her coach’s unique approach, her unwavering focus on her duty, and the lessons learned from the Bhagavad Gita.
The journey from tears of frustration to Olympic triumph is a testament to Manu’s strength and the power of a dedicated coach-athlete bond. As she moves on to her next challenges in the 25m pistol events, the world will be watching, witnessing the unfolding of a career that promises much more than just a bronze medal.
