Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh secured India’s second medal at the Paris Olympics 2024, clinching bronze in the 10m air pistol mixed team event. Their victory came after a thrilling match against South Korea, ending with a 16-10 scoreline in their favor.
This win not only boosts India’s medal tally but also marks a historic achievement. Manu Bhaker, already a trailblazer in Indian shooting, has become the first athlete from independent India to win multiple medals at a single Olympic Games. The bronze in the team event complements her historic individual medal from earlier in the Games. Additionally, this is India’s first-ever Olympic medal in a shooting team event.
The competition featured a race-to-16-points format. The match began with Korea taking an early lead, scoring 20.5 points to India’s 18.8. However, Manu and Sarabjot quickly rallied, tying the score 2-2 in the second series. As the match progressed, their performance grew stronger. By the fifth series, India led 8-2 after a solid round where Sarabjot scored 9.6 and Manu hit 10.6.
Korea mounted a comeback, narrowing the gap to 12-10. But Manu and Sarabjot maintained their composure, ultimately securing the bronze with a decisive final series win of 19.6 to Korea’s 18.5.
This triumph follows a series of historic performances in Indian sports, with past stars like Abhinav Bindra and Neeraj Chopra. At just 22, Manu Bhaker has now set her sights on a potential third medal in the 25m air rifle event, continuing to make waves in the shooting world.
Manu’s stellar performance not only highlights her individual brilliance but also adds a significant chapter to India’s Olympic history, showcasing her as a formidable athlete on the global stage.
