EXCLUSIVE: Manu Bhaker gets ready to end India's 12-year wait for shooting medal at Paris Olympics

India is all setto strike gold at the upcoming Paris Olympics as 21 shooters will compete for 27 medals in the French Capital. One of the medal aspirants for India is 22-year-old Manu Bhaker who will compete in three disciplines. While India will look to end its 12-year wait for an Olympic medal in shooting, Manu can script history by becoming the first woman to record the feat when she takes to the shooting ranges in Paris. She spoke exclusively to WION’s Aditya Pimpale and reflected on her preparations for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The 22-year-old will compete in three disciplines – 10m pistol, 25m pistol and 25m pistol team event. If she can shoot from point-blank range, Manu will script history and secure India’s fifth medal in shooting in its rich history.

Question: How is the morale in the camp, what colour of the medal and how many are you bringing back to India?

Answer: The morale has been high in the camp, here we are focusing on how we can get the right things at the right place. Our main focus has been on our strengths, where we lack and where we can still improve. Speaking of the medal, nothing is guaranteed yet, but anything can happen so my focus will be on giving my best and clinching glory by striking a medal at the Paris Olympics.

Question: You struck gold in the 25 metresat the World Championships last year in Baku, are you expecting to repeat the same feat?

Answer: Yes, I have been working hard to get the medals for India because you observed last year, I achieved a lot of success at the International Championships and Asian Championships. But the Olympics will be a different challenge for me and I am looking forward to it eagerly having waited for three years, so I want to give my best shot.

Question: You clinched two gold medals at the Youth Olympics in 2018 including gold, so willhistory repeat?

Answer: Yes, I remember that as I also was the flag bearer for India. This is technically my third Olympics and I am desperate to add to those gold and silver medals I clinched back in 2018. The motivation is there to repeat the feat, but I know I have to punch above my weight to get to the next level.

Question: Competing in multiple disciplines in 10-metreand 25-metre, is there an added pressure on you before the games?

Answer: Honestly, it has been tough competing in multiple disciplines but again as I mentioned I have been doing it for the last 7-8 years, so it is not that difficult now. However, I have to be prepared both physically and mentally since I will be competing on nine consecutive days in three different events.

Question: You could script history by becoming the first female to win a medal at the Olympics in shooting, so is that an added incentive for you?

Answer: To be honest, I would really love to claim that feat, but it is just not me but everyone who is travelling to Paris for the Olympics deserves to win a medal. In sports, you are not jealous of anyone or you are not trying to compete with each other but you are trying to get the best out of the other person. Winning on a personal note will be great but I wish we return with tons of medals with other Indian fellow mates during the Paris Olympics.