Manu Bhaker Marks 10 Years in Competitive Shooting with Emotional Reflection
Two-time Olympic medallist looks back on career highs, setbacks and lessons from teenage prodigy to India's sporting star
Manu Bhaker and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
NEW DELHI: Two-time Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker marked a major milestone in her career on Tuesday, celebrating 10 years in competitive shooting with an emotional reflection on social media. The 24-year-old, who clinched bronze medals in the 2024 Paris Olympics, looked back on the highs, setbacks and lessons that shaped her rise from a teenage prodigy to one of India's biggest sporting stars.
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"Completed a decade in my sport today. Could've never imagined my jouney to be so beautiful, so giving and inspiring," Bhaker wrote on Instagram alongside memories from different stages of her career.
The shooter recalled her obsession with the sport in her early years, writing: "I remember getting my first Indian team jersey and I would just never take it off! Even in the summers."
Manu Bhaker Instagram post (Screengrab)
She also opened up about difficult phases during her journey, especially after narrowly missing out on medals despite strong performances. "Honestly, I did feel defeated so many times," she admitted while reflecting on her fifth-place finishes at the 2018 and 2023 Asian Games despite topping qualification rounds in both editions.
Bhaker also revisited her breakthrough year in 2018 when she won Commonwealth Games gold in Australia at just 16. "It gave me confidence and I cannot thank you all enough for giving me so much support and love," she wrote.
Her post came a day after an interaction at the NRAI's 75th anniversary event in Delhi sparked online debate. Bhaker was asked about teenage cricket sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, with several social media users later criticising the line of questioning for shifting focus away from her own achievements.
Responding calmly to a question on the rise of Sooryavanshi, Bhaker stressed the importance of mentorship and support systems for young athletes. "If the mentorship is good, the company around him is good, and the people around are good, then age is just a number," she said.
The exchange triggered wider discussion online about the dominance of cricket narratives over accomplishments in other Indian sports.