Paris Olympics: Manu Bhaker Wins Bronze Medal For India in Women's 10m Air Pistol Event

Manu Bhaker scripts history in the Paris Olympics. She secured Bronze Medal in Women's 10m Air Pistol event. This is India's first medal in Paris Olympics. She took the second spot after series 1 but was pushed to third position after series 2. She bounced back instantly and stood firm on the second place with 131 points after 13 shots. Following that her position varied between second and third and in the end she got hold of the 3rd position to win the Bronze Medal for India. She is only the second Indian to win a medal in the Pistol shooting discipline after Vijay Kumar, who won Silver in London 2012.

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Manu Bhaker Wins Bronze Medal at Paris Olympics

A resilient Manu Bhaker became the first Indian woman shooter to claim an Olympic medal by snaring a bronze in the 10m air pistol event here on Sunday, a triumph that opened the country's account in the Paris Games and ended a 12-year wait for its much-hyped shooters.

The last time India won shooting medals at the Olympics was in 2012 London edition where rapid-fire pistol shooter Vijay Kumar and 10m air rifle marksman Gagan Narang clinched silver and bronze respectively. Narang is the chef de mission of the Paris contingent right now.

The 22-year-old Bhaker, who hails from Jhajjar in Haryana, fought hard to get the bronze with a score of 221.7 here.

Korea's Kim Yeji claimed the silver with a total of 241.3 while her compatriot Jin Ye Oh bagged the gold with a Games record of 243.2.

Bhaker was competing in her second Olympics after drawing a blank in the previous edition.

"After Tokyo I was very disappointed and it took me a very long time to overcome that. Frankly speaking, I really can't explain how good I am feeling today," Bhaker, whose Tokyo campaign had ended in tears after her pistol malfunctioned during the qualification of the same event, said with a wide smile on her face.

"I was fighting with all the energy I have. Really grateful that I could win the bronze. I read Bhagwat Gita and always tried to do what I am supposed to do, left everything else to god "We can't fight destiny," added the world champion in 25m pistol event.

(With inputs from PTI)