The Paris Olympics proved to be a landmark event for Indian shooting, with Manu Bhaker making history by clinching two bronze medals, becoming the first Indian woman athlete to achieve this feat at the quadrennial event.
Manu’s Stellar Performances
Manu showcased her prodigious talent by securing a podium finish in the 10m air pistol event and then teaming up with Sarabjot Singh to win another bronze in the 10m mixed team event. Her incredible achievements ended India’s decade-long Olympic medal drought in shooting and set a new benchmark for excellence in the sport.
The 21-member Indian shooting contingent in Paris returned with three bronze medals, including a brilliant third-place finish by Swapnil Kusale in the 50m rifle 3-positions event.
From Tokyo Disappointment to Paris Glory
For Manu, the Paris triumph was a redemption story. After a heart-breaking exit at the Tokyo Games due to a pistol malfunction, Manu stepped onto the Châteauroux range with unwavering confidence, delivering a champion’s performance.
Her coach, Jaspal Rana, played a pivotal role in her success. Despite facing challenges, including restrictions on coaching her directly due to National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) protocols, Jaspal guided Manu from the spectators’ gallery. Manu described him as a “father figure” who bolstered her confidence during tough times.
Sarabjot and Swapnil Shine Bright
Sarabjot Singh, overcoming a career-threatening injury, joined Manu as a joint bronze-medallist in the mixed team event. His remarkable recovery and resilience highlighted the importance of perseverance in sports.
Meanwhile, Swapnil Kusale gave his coach, Deepali Deshpande, a moment of redemption by winning India’s first-ever Olympic medal in the 50m rifle 3-positions event. Deepali, once criticized for India’s poor performance at the Tokyo Olympics, found vindication through Swapnil’s historic feat.
Near Misses and Promising Futures
The Indian contingent also faced heartbreaks in Paris, with several shooters narrowly missing medals. Arjun Babuta finished fourth in the men’s 10m air rifle, and the mixed skeet team of Maheshwari Chauhan and Anant Jeet Singh Naruka lost a nail-biting bronze medal match to China.
Manu herself came close to a historic hat-trick, finishing fourth in the women’s 25m sports pistol event after a valiant effort.
Selection Controversies Cloud the Lead-Up
The road to Paris was fraught with controversies over the NRAI’s Olympic Selection Trials (OST). Litigation over selection criteria and discontent among shooters marred the pre-Olympic phase. Top shooters like Rudrankksh Patil and Tilottama Sen missed out on Olympic spots despite their stellar performances, raising questions about the federation’s policies.
A Promising Future for Indian Shooting
Despite the challenges, the Paris Olympics marked a significant milestone for Indian shooting. The performances of Manu, Sarabjot, Swapnil, and others have reignited hope for even greater success at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
