Manu Bhaker Interview: Why Interaction With Neeraj Chopra Stands Out For Double Olympic Medallist After Paris Games

Don't lose your grip on the dreams of the past. You must fight, just to keep them alive. Exorcising the ghost of Tokyo in Paris, Manu Bhaker etched her name into Olympic folklore as the 22-year-old became India's first markswoman to seal a podium finish in the 10m air pistol event at the Summer Games on July 28, 2024. What's better than one? Two. Fresh from a historic bronze, Bhaker doubled her medal tally in 72 hours. India's first athlete to seal two medals in a single Olympics since independence, shooting star Bhaker pinned her faith on the teachings of Bhagwat Gita to create her 'happiest memory' at the grandest stage of them all.

Had the guts, got the glory. Went the distance and now she is not gonna stop. Bhaker, who firmly believes in karma, remembered the 'most famous quote' in Gita to strike a sensational Paris Olympics medal for India. In the words of the two-time Olympic medallist at the Paris Games, a strong support system is essential for an athlete's success. For her role model PV Sindhu, history maker Bhaker created fake profiles to defend the badminton superstar on social media.

It might be an open secret for some that ace shuttler Sindhu is Bhaker's favourite athlete. However, did you know that Bhaker's hype song is Eye of the Tiger by Survivor or if it wasn't for shooting, she would have been a teacher? Speaking exclusively to NDTV after a triumphant return, Bhaker reckoned that the double bronze feat at the Paris Olympics has brought a 'wave of new opportunities and responsibilities'. Acing the rapid-fire round in the interview, Bhaker also recalled her unforgettable interaction with trailblazer Neeraj Chopra.

1. What all has changed in the real life of Manu Bhaker after the double bronze feat at the