Shooting: Bhaker hopes her Paris feat is just the start for India's women athletes

31.07.2024 - 14:32 channelnewsasia.com

CHATEAUROUX, France: Indian shooter Manu Bhaker, the country's first multi-medallist at a single Olympic Games, hopes her feat in Paris will help to unlock the potential of other women athletes in the world's most populous nation."It's a long journey, let's keep going and let's not settle for these two medals," Bhaker said as she held up her bronze medals outside the Chateauroux Shooting Centre."Let's hope for many more medals in this Olympics and subsequent events," added Bhaker, who won the women's 10-metre air pistol bronze and the same medal in the mixed team event with Sarabjot Singh to open India's medal count in Paris.India surpassed neighbour and powerhouse China as the world's most populous country last year, with more than 1.43 billion people, but remains an Olympic laggard.Shooter Abhinav Bindra won India's first individual Olympic gold in 2008, while Neeraj Chopra's victory in men's javelin in Tokyo three years ago was India's first in track and field.Bhaker's double success on Tuesday prompted a call from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and an avalanche of congratulatory messages but Bhaker is not celebrating yet as she chases a third medal in the women's 25-metre pistol later this week.Social media back home is abuzz with her exploits and the 22-year-old Bhaker hopes her success will have an impact."I don't know what's trending on social media but I hope a lot of parents would push their daughters to try different sports," she said."My parents were so supportive of me in choosing any sport or any cultural activity, anything," she said."Even today, if I say 'I don't want to do this, I'll learn classical dance or something', they'll support that too."If the women of our country get that kind of support, I think

Sporting shooting athletics country Olympics UPS Manu Bhaker Narendra Modi Abhinav Bindra France China India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met with the Indian contingent which returned from the just-concluded Paris Olympics with six medals with history-scripting shooter Manu Bhaker showing her pistol with which she won two bronze, at his residence in New Delhi. The Indian men's hockey team, which won its second consecutive bronze at the Paris Games, presented the PM with a stick signed by all the players. The players, including the just-retired PR Sreejesh and captain Harmanpreet Singh, were seen posing with the PM with the bronze medals on their necks.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India dreams of hosting the Olympics in 2036 and added that preparations are already underway, during his Independence Day speech on Thursday. PM Modi congratulated all the athletes who represented India at the Paris Olympics 2024 and also extended his best wishes to those travelling for the upcoming Paralympics. During the speech, PM Modi said that India has already proven that it has the infrastructure to host a big event like the G20 Summit and the next dream for the nation is to host the Olympics in 2036.

Manu Bhaker Aims For Multiple Olympic Medals

Ace Indian pistol shooter Manu Bhaker has set her sights on winning multiple medals at the Olympics in the future following her historic feat at the Paris Games. The 22-year-old scripted history to become the first Indian athlete in post-independence era to win two Olympic medals in a single edition of the Games. Bhaker won a bronze each in the women's 10m air pistol and 10m air pistol mixed team event -- where she had paired with Sarabjot Singh. She also came close to winning a third bronze in 25m pistol before finishing a creditable fourth in Paris.

Manu Bhaker Marrying Neeraj Chopra? Shooter's Father Breaks Silence On Rumours

Spotting India's ace javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra with Manu Bhaker and the pistol shooter's mother after the Paris Olympics 2024, internet went in overdrive on Monday. Neeraj was spotted at an event after the conclusion of the Paris Games, where Manu and her mother were also present. The manner in which the three were interacting with each other sent social media in to a wild speculation mode, with many suggesting that marriage could be on the cards for Neeraj and Manu. However, the pistol shooter's father has put the speculations to bed, saying his daughter isn't even old enough for such a moment in her life.

Multi-Crore Cash Prize To Government Jobs: What Hockey Stars, Manu Bhaker And Others Will Get For Olympic Heroics

The Indian contingent ended Paris Olympics 2024 with six medals - one lesser than their tally at the previous Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. It was a mixed show from India as multiple athletes finished 4th in their respective categories and missed out on a medal by the smallest of margins. Shooter Manu Bhaker was the top performer with two medals - a unique feat by an athlete from independent India - while Neeraj Chopra claimed the sliver medal in men's javelin throw. The Indian men's hockey team claimed their second consecutive bronze medal at the Olympics thanks to a great show by skipper Harmanpreet Singh. A look at all the cash prizes that the Paris Olympics 2024 medalists will receive -

Fans Wonder As Neeraj Chopra Meets Manu Bhaker, Her Mother. Video Viral

Two of the finest performers at the Paris Olympic Games 2024 for India, Neeraj Chopra and Manu Bhaker were under the spotlight the entire tournament. While Bhaker clinched twin bronze medals at the Paris Games, in two different events, Neeraj returned him with a silver medal in the men's javelin throw final. While the Paris Olympics are over, social media still can't stop chatting about Neeraj Chopra and Manu Bhaker, especially after they meeting post the conclusion of the quadrennial event, with the shooter's mother also present.