India's Pride Soars: Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh Secure Heartfelt Bronze in 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team Event at Paris Olympics 2024

Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh Bring Home Bronze in 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team Event at Paris Olympics 2024

In a breathtaking display of skill and determination, Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh have secured India’s second medal at the Paris Olympics 2024, clinching bronze in the 10m air pistol mixed team event. Their victory, marked by resilience and precision, has doubled India's medal count in shooting at the Games, bringing immense pride to the nation.

Manu and Sarabjot qualified for the bronze medal match on Monday and faced off against a formidable South Korean team. The competition followed a race-to-16-points format, and India triumphed with a 16-10 win, showcasing their tenacity and teamwork. This medal is particularly historic, as it marks India's first Olympic medal in a shooting team event.

Sunday had already been a landmark day for Indian sports when Manu Bhaker became the first Indian woman shooter to win an Olympic medal. Despite narrowly missing a podium finish in the men's event, Sarabjot’s performance was commendable. Today’s win has solidified Manu's legacy; she is now the first athlete of independent India to win multiple medals at a single Olympic Games, a feat achieved at just 22 years of age.

Indian sports history is rich with iconic figures like KD Jadhav, Major Dhyan Chand, Karnam Malleswari, Abhinav Bindra, Saina Nehwal, Sushil Kumar, PV Sindhu, and Neeraj Chopra. However, none could achieve the milestone of winning multiple medals at a single Olympics—until now. Manu Bhaker's incredible journey at her second Olympics has set a new benchmark for Indian athletes.

The competition was intense. The Korean shooters started strong, but Manu and Sarabjot’s consistency and strategic brilliance shone through. Each time Sarabjot fumbled, Manu made up for it, constantly hitting around the 10.4 and 10.5 mark. Their coach's timely intervention and adjustments during the timeout were pivotal, rejuvenating their performance.

The final series was nerve-wracking. Despite Korea’s fierce comeback attempts, Manu and Sarabjot maintained their composure. Their final score of 19.6 against South Korea's 18.5 sealed the victory, securing the bronze medal and writing a new chapter in India’s Olympic journey.

Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh’s triumph is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and the spirit of Indian sports. As the nation celebrates, all eyes are now on Manu’s upcoming event, where she has the chance to achieve the unthinkable—a hat-trick of medals. This victory is not just a win; it's a beacon of hope and inspiration for future generations of Indian athletes.