Manu Bhaker becomes the first athlete from India to win multiple medals at a single Olympics after independence as she and Sarabjot Singh clinched a bronze medal in the 10m Air Pistol mixed event of the Paris Olympics 2024 on July 30. This is India’s second medal in the ongoing Paris Olympics as Bhaker clinched the country’s first when she won a bronze in the 10m Air Pistol individual event on July 28.
Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh, who advanced to the bronze medal match on Monday, defeated South Korea 16-10, thereby doubling India’s medal count in shooting at the Games.
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How Manu Bhaker & Sarabjot Singh Clinched India’s Second Olympics 2024 Medal
The competition was a race-to-16-points format. Korea initially led with 20.5 points to India’s 18.8, giving Korea the first two points. In the second series, Korea scored 19.9, but India won the round with Manu Bhaker’s 10.7 and Sarabjot Singh’s 10.5, levelling the score at 2-2. India then gained a 4-2 lead in the next round, with Sarabjot and Manu scoring 20.8 against Korea’s 19.8. They extended their lead to 6-2 with a further series win, scoring 20.7 compared to Korea’s 20.5.
After Korea’s timeout, India won the fifth series with Sarabjot Singh scoring 9.6 and Manu Bhaker 10.6, leading 8-2. Korea closed the gap to 8-4 in the sixth series with Oh Ye Jin’s 10.8. India then extended their lead to 10-4 by winning the seventh series with Manu’s 10.6 and Sarabjot’s 9.4. Korea won the next series 10-6, but India responded with strong performances, increasing their lead to 12-6 and then 14-6. Despite a setback where India scored 9.6 and 9.7, and Korea scored 21.0 to India’s 20.2, India maintained a 14-10 lead and ultimately secured the bronze medal.
Despite Korea’s comeback, India stayed in a strong position, needing just one more series win to secure the bronze medal. In the final series, India scored 19.6 to Korea’s 18.5, clinching the bronze with a decisive 16-10 victory.
Indian Medallists Express Happiness After Bronze Win
While talking to JioCinema after the match Sarabjot Singh expressed his happiness after their bronze win but also admitted that it was a hard game for the Indian athletes as it ebbed and flowed throughout the course. Manu Bhaker conveyed her gratitude for India’s support and blessings. The 22-year-old Bhaker mentioned that while they cannot control the outcome, they will always strive to do their best. She noted that she and Sarabjot had discussed accepting the results, whatever they may be, and focusing on giving their best effort.
Here are all the records that Manu Bhaker now has achieved following her and Sarabjot Singh’s bronze medal victory:
1. First Indian woman in 20 years to enter an Olympic shooting final, since Suma Shirur in Athens 2004.
2. First Indian woman shooter to win an Olympic medal.
3. First Indian to win an Olympic medal in air pistol.
4. First Indian to win two medals in the same edition of the Olympic Games.
5. First Indian shooter to win two Olympic medals.
6. First Indian shooting pair (Manu Bhaker & Sarabjot Singh) to win a team medal at the Olympics.
7. First Indian to win Olympic medals in both individual and team events.