India Secures 2nd Medal at Olympics 2024: Manu and Sarabjot Win Shooting Bronze

Manu Bhaker etched her name in Olympic history by becoming the first Indian athlete in the post-independence era to win two medals in a single edition of the Games.

On Tuesday, she, alongside Sarabjot Singh, secured the bronze medal in the 10m air pistol mixed team event, further cementing her status as a remarkable sports figure.

Historic Win with Sarabjot Singh

The Indian duo of Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh delivered a standout performance to claim the bronze medal. They defeated the Korean pair of Lee Wonoho and Oh Yeh Jin with a score of 16-10 at the shooting range in Chateauroux. This victory marked India’s second medal of the Games, following Bhaker’s earlier success.

Bhaker’s Redemption and Achievements

Bhaker, aged 22, had already won the bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol event at the same venue on Sunday. This achievement was particularly significant as it came as a redemption from her challenging experience at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where a malfunctioning pistol had led to a disappointing debut.

Bhaker’s two medals in this edition of the Games are notable, especially considering the last such instance was in the pre-independence era when British-Indian athlete Norman Pritchard won two silver medals in 1900.

Sarabjot Singh’s Comeback

For Sarabjot Singh, the mixed team bronze was a moment of redemption. Singh had faced disappointment earlier in the individual men’s 10m air pistol event, where he finished ninth with a score of 577. Despite this setback, Singh and Bhaker’s collaborative effort in the mixed team event highlighted their resilience and ability to overcome challenges.

Reactions and Performance Insights

Following the match, Bhaker expressed her pride and gratitude, acknowledging the support she received. She played with remarkable poise, contributing significantly to the team’s victory.

Sarabjot, who had been under considerable pressure after his earlier individual competition, also shared his relief and happiness about their win. Despite a rocky start in the match, with Singh scoring a low 8.6 in the opening shot, Bhaker’s consistent performance helped them turn the game around, eventually defeating the Korean team.

Looking Ahead

Manu Bhaker will continue her Olympic journey with the 25m women’s pistol qualification event scheduled for August 2. With her strong performances so far, she has a promising chance of advancing to the finals, adding to India’s hopeful medal tally in the ongoing Games.