Bhaker’s Outstanding Performance
Manu Bhaker emerged as India’s shining star on a challenging opening day of shooting at the Paris Olympics. The 22-year-old displayed exceptional confidence and skill as she qualified for the 10m air pistol final. Her performance was a much-needed respite for the Indian contingent after a disappointing start by her compatriots.
With her qualification, Bhaker has positioned herself as a strong medal contender for India. Her journey from a promising young shooter to a seasoned athlete has been remarkable, and her performance today is a testament to her dedication and hard work. Bhaker has secured India’s first spot in the finals of the 10m air pistol event at the Paris Olympics, finishing third in the qualification round with a score of 580.
Tough Competition in Qualification
Hungarian shooter Veronika Major topped the qualification round with a score of 582, setting the benchmark for the rest of the field. Unfortunately, India’s other representative, Rhythm Sangwan, couldn’t match the top performers, ending her campaign in 15th place with a score of 573.
On the Verge of Redemption
Bhaker, who was visibly distraught after her performance at the Tokyo Olympics, is now on the cusp of redeeming herself. A strong showing in the final on Sunday could see her clinch India’s first medal at the Paris Games.
Rising Above Past Disappointments
Manu Bhaker, a seasoned shooter with a reputation built on early success, entered the Paris Olympics determined to rectify the disappointment of her Tokyo Games. The Haryana-born athlete made a strong start to the qualification round, scoring 97 points in the first series to secure fourth place.
Despite maintaining her score of 97 in the second series, Bhaker’s position remained unchanged as her teammate Rhythm Sangwan faced a setback. However, a stellar third series, yielding an impressive 98, catapulted Bhaker into the top two, demonstrating her skill and resilience under pressure. Despite a rare miss in the fifth series, where she scored an 8, Manu Bhaker managed to maintain her composure and secure a place in the final. The momentary lapse in concentration did not deter her from ultimately achieving her goal of qualifying for the championship round.
Indians Bow Out in Men’s 10m Air Pistol
India’s campaign in the shooting events at the Paris Olympics got off to a mixed start. While Manu Bhaker shone in the women’s 10m air pistol, the men’s 10m air pistol and mixed team events proved to be challenging.
Sarabjot Singh displayed flashes of brilliance, scoring a perfect 100 in one series, but ultimately fell short, finishing ninth with a total of 577. Arjun Singh Cheema, despite a strong finish with ten consecutive perfect scores, could not maintain the momentum and ended up in 18th place.
India’s Mixed Team Falls Short in Air Rifle
India’s mixed 10m air rifle team suffered an early setback at the Paris Olympics, failing to qualify for the final. The duo of Ramita Jindal and Arjun Babuta finished sixth with a total score of 628.7, while the pair of Elavenil Valarivan and Sandeep Singh ended their campaign in 12th place with 626.3. Jindal and Babuta were in contention for a medal spot until the final stages, ultimately missing out by a narrow margin. China dominated the event, securing the first gold medal of the Games.
Looking Ahead
The early setbacks will undoubtedly serve as a wake-up call for the Indian shooting team, but the focus will now shift to the upcoming events and the opportunity to turn things around. With Manu Bhaker leading the charge, hopes remain high for India’s shooting contingent at the Paris Olympics 2024.
