"Don't Be Angry If...": Manu Bhaker's Plea Ahead Of Her Third Medal Event At Paris Olympics 2024

At 22, Manu Bhaker has already become one of India's greatest athletes by winning two medals in the same Olympics and she has just one plea ahead of her third and final event at the Games -- "don't be angry if I can't add another one". Bhaker, who became the first athlete in independent India to win two medals in the same Olympics, will compete in the 25m sports pistol qualifications on August 2. She has so far won bronze medals in the women's 10m air pistol and the mixed 10m air pistol events.

"I hope the love stays. I will definitely try my best. I hope people are not disappointed. Please don't be angry if I don't win another medal," she said, voicing a fear that most elite athletes live with, despite her epoch-making performance at Chateauroux's shooting range.

Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh, who is also 22, made easy work of the Korean challenge in the mixed team event on Tuesday.

"The feeling is surreal because I hadn't hoped I'll win two medals in a single Olympics," said the history-making shooter from Haryana's Jhajjar.

"There is one more match to go (in 25m sports pistol). So, I am looking forward to the next one, but I am grateful that I got another medal for India," said added.

She added that whenever Indian athletes represent the country, the only dream they harbour is to win an Olympic medal, and she would like to garner as much success at the Games as possible.

"This (bronze medal today) is part of the dream; one part is in the bag and the other one is with me here. An athlete, when he plays for India, his dream is to win a medal at the Olympics and that was my dream as well. And, I would want to win as many medals as possible in the Olympics," she said.

Bhaker's performance here has come after a failed campaign