Manu Bhaker’s rise from a spirited Haryana girl to Olympic medalist is the stuff of legends. At 14, she didn’t just dream of shooting glory—she demanded her father buy her a pistol, just a week after Rio 2016. Ram Kishan Bhakar, her supportive dad, didn’t hesitate. That decision propelled Manu into a career that’s now etched in Indian sports history.
Born in 2002 to parents who named her after Jhansi’s brave queen, Manu’s childhood brimmed with athletic pursuits. Tennis courts, boxing rings, skating rinks, and Than Ta dojos saw her talent shine, with national medals in martial arts highlighting her early promise.
Training rigorously, Manu exploded onto the scene in 2017. She smashed records against top shooters like Heena Sidhu at nationals and grabbed Asian junior silver. Her golden moment arrived at 16 with an ISSF World Cup gold in mixed doubles, followed by nine golds at the National Championships in Kerala, setting new benchmarks.
Commonwealth Games 2018 saw her dominate with a record-breaking gold. Tokyo’s setbacks only fueled her fire. Post-2021, she racked up World Cup golds, World Championship silver, and Asian Games gold in 25m pistol. Paris Olympics 2024 crowned her efforts: two bronzes in air pistol events, making her India’s first dual-medalist in one Games.
Honors like the Khel Ratna and Arjuna Awards recognize her impact. Manu’s story isn’t just about medals; it’s a testament to bold beginnings, relentless practice, and conquering adversity. As she aims higher, India watches with pride.