Young shooting sensation, Manu Bhaker is one of the most talented Indian sports shooter and came into the limelight after representing India at the 2018 ISSF World Cup . Manu Bhaker hails from Jhajar, Haryana. She is currently pursuing her studies at Universal Pulic Senior Secondary School. She has been raved as India’s next shooter of our nation. She was inspired by her mentor Jaspal Rana who inspired to take up the sport.
Manu appreciated the Khelo India Youth Games initiative by the union sports ministry and was quoted saying “the competition provides a brilliant platform for youngsters to showcase their talent. I had never thought that there could be a competition like Khelo India. Everyone used to say the one can have a good life only if he or she studies well, but one cannot make a career in sports. I think the Khelo India Games is a fantastic platform for youngsters to showcase their talent. I would like to thank the Prime Minister and the Sports Minister for this initiative.”
Manu Bhaker is expected to be one of India’s biggest hopes when the Tokyo Games which will take place in 2020. She clinched a berth at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics after finishing fourth at the women’s 10m Air Pistol event at the ISSF (International Shooting Sport Federation) World Cup in early part of the year.
During the interaction with the media revealed her plans for the quadrennial games and said that “I am excited about the Olympics. I will discuss a few plans with my coach and then implement them. For now, I am just going through my regular drills. I practice for 5-6 hours a day on average. There are a lot of sporting events ahead of the Olympics. They will serve as good preparation for the Olympics.”
Last month, Manu Bhaker scripted history at the 2019 ISSF World Cup as she won India’s first gold medal at the tournament this year in Women’s 10m Air Pistol. Also became the second Indian shooter post Heena Sidhu to clinch a gold medal Women’s 10m Air Pistol at the ISSF World Cup. She broke the junior world record with her total of 244.7 in Putian, China.
Bhaker would like to shoot under two categories ie. 10m and 25m and added that,“It all depends on the selection of the team. I can’t say anything on that right now. But if you are asking me about my preference, of course I would look to shoot in both 10m and 25m, as I give equal importance to both events and my scores in 25m is not bad at all.”
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