Manu Bhaker is India’s youngest shooting sensation and the first female shooter to win two medals at a single Olympics. She exploded onto the world stage with precision, poise, and record-breaking wins across junior and elite competitions.
Early Life & Background
Manu Bhaker was born on February 18, 2002, in Goria village, Jhajjar district, Haryana. Coming from a modest yet progressive Haryanvi family, she was raised with values of discipline, perseverance, and the importance of sports. Her father, Ram Kishan Bhaker, served in the Merchant Navy and supported her ambitions wholeheartedly, while her mother ensured Manu’s education and emotional grounding stayed strong.
From a very young age, Manu showed athletic versatility. She excelled in multiple sports, boxing, tennis, skating, and even Huyen Langlon, a Manipuri martial art, securing medals at state-level events. But it wasn’t until she attended a local school shooting event at the age of 14 that her true calling emerged. Fascinated by the sport’s precision and mental challenge, she decided to focus solely on shooting.
Her natural talent, coupled with relentless discipline, led to rapid progress. Within just a year of training, she had dominated junior national competitions and attracted the attention of India’s top shooting coaches. This early rise set the tone for a meteoric career that would redefine India’s presence in international shooting sports.
Personal Life
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Family & Background
Manu hails from Jhajjar, Haryana, where her parents, father Ram Kishan Bhaker (a Merchant Navy engineer) and mother Sumedha (a school teacher), nurtured her sporting journey. They encouraged her to explore multiple disciplines from a young age, valuing both athleticism and academics.
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Education & Interests
Manu completed her education in Haryana. For higher education, she graduated with a degree in Political Science from Lady Shri Ram College, University of Delhi, and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Public Administration at DAV College, Chandigarh. Off the range, she enjoys painting, music, and reading. She also mentors young shooters through outreach programs and remains grounded by her strong family values and early community support.
Sporting Career Journey
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Breakthrough Year
Manu shot to national and international fame in 2018 at the age of 16. She won gold in the 10m air pistol event at the ISSF World Cup, becoming one of the youngest Indians to achieve this feat. That same year, she clinched gold at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, firmly establishing her as India’s new shooting prodigy.
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Rising Through the Ranks
Her consistency across junior and senior events was remarkable. Manu collected medals at ISSF Junior World Cups, Youth Olympics, and Asian Games, becoming a regular podium finisher across multiple categories, individual, mixed team, and team events.
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Olympic Experience
At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics (held in 2021), expectations were high. Though she did not medal, facing challenges including a pistol malfunction, the experience was pivotal in shaping her maturity and resolve, highlighting areas for mental and technical strengthening.
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Continued Excellence
Following the Tokyo Olympics, Manu returned to form, winning medals in World Cups and national championships. Her adaptability across various formats remains a hallmark of her career. At the Paris 2024 Olympics, she made history by winning two bronze medals: one in the women’s 10m air pistol individual event and another in the 10m air pistol mixed team event with her partner, Sarabjot Singh, becoming the first Indian to win two medals at a single Olympic Games since India’s independence.
Sporting Career Journey
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Early Success and Breakthrough
Manu made her national debut in 2017 and stunned everyone with her rapid rise. In 2018, she won gold at the ISSF World Cup (10m air pistol) and Commonwealth Games, becoming one of India’s youngest shooting champions at just 16.
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Youth Olympic Glory
Later in 2018, Manu won gold at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, a historic achievement that made her the first Indian female shooter to do so. It marked her arrival on the global stage.
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Transition & Olympic Challenge
Manu continued to dominate at junior and senior events, winning medals in ISSF World Cups and Asian events. At the Tokyo Olympics (2020 held in 2021), she participated in multiple events but narrowly missed a podium finish. Despite the pressure, she showed maturity and resilience.
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Post-Olympic Consistency
Following Tokyo, Manu returned to form, winning medals in World Cups and national championships, showcasing her adaptability across various formats. At the Paris 2024 Olympics, she made history by winning two bronze medals (in the 10m air pistol individual and mixed team with Sarabjot Singh), becoming the first Indian to win two medals at a single Olympic Games since India’s independence, and solidifying her status as a leading force in Indian shooting.
Achievements & Records
Olympic Medals
- Bronze – Paris 2024 (10m Air Pistol Women’s Individual)
- Bronze – Paris 2024 (10m Air Pistol Mixed Team with Sarabjot Singh)
- First Indian to win two medals at a single Olympic Games since independence.
- First Indian female shooter to win an Olympic medal.
ISSF World Cup
- Youngest Indian shooter to win a gold medal at the ISSF World Cup (2018, 10m Air Pistol)
- Multiple gold medals in individual and mixed team events.
Commonwealth Games
- Gold – 2018 (10m Air Pistol)
Youth Olympic Games
- Gold – 2018 (10m Air Pistol)
- Silver – 2018 (10m Air Pistol Mixed Team)
- First Indian female shooter to win Youth Olympic gold.
Records & Milestones
- Youngest Indian to win a gold medal at the ISSF World Cup.
- First Indian shooter to win gold at the Youth Olympic Games (2018, Buenos Aires).
- Multiple-time national champion across junior and senior levels.
- Known for her dominance in mixed team events (notably with Saurabh Chaudhary in earlier years and Sarabjot Singh at Paris 2024).
Career Timeline
- 2017 – Made a mark at the National Games by winning 9 golds.
- 2018 – Won gold at the ISSF World Cup (10m Air Pistol) at just 16 years old.
- 2018 – Claimed gold at the Commonwealth Games in 10m Air Pistol.
- 2018 – Secured gold at the Youth Olympic Games – first Indian female shooter to do so.
- 2019 – Continued dominance at ISSF World Cups with multiple gold medals (including mixed team with Saurabh Chaudhary).
- 2021 – Represented India at the Tokyo Olympics in individual and mixed events.
- 2021 – Won gold at the ISSF Junior World Championship (10m Air Pistol).
- 2022 – Won team silver at the ISSF World Championships (25m Pistol Team).
- 2023 – Won team gold at the Asian Games (25m Pistol Team).
- 2024 – Made history by winning two bronze medals at the Paris Olympics (10m Air Pistol Individual and 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team with Sarabjot Singh).
| Year | Milestone |
| 2017 | Made a mark at the National Games by winning 9 golds. |
| 2018 | Won gold at the ISSF World Cup (10m Air Pistol) at just 16 years old. |
| 2018 | Claimed gold at the Commonwealth Games in 10m Air Pistol. |
| 2018 | Secured gold at the Youth Olympic Games – first Indian female shooter to do so. |
| 2019 | Continued dominance at ISSF World Cups with multiple gold medals (including mixed team with Saurabh Chaudhary). |
| 2021 | Represented India at the Tokyo Olympics in individual and mixed events. |
| 2022 | Won gold at the ISSF Junior World Championship (10m Air Pistol). |
| 2023 | Won team gold at the Asian Games (25m Pistol Team). |
| 2024 | Made history by winning two bronze medals at the Paris Olympics (10m Air Pistol Individual and 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team with Sarabjot Singh). |
Impact & Legacy
Manu Bhaker’s legacy is defined by her fearless rise, breaking barriers for women in Indian shooting. As the first Indian female shooter to win an Olympic medal and the first Indian since independence to win two at a single Games, she inspired a new generation with her grit, focus, and youthful dominance. Her golds at the ISSF World Cup, Youth Olympics, and Commonwealth Games cemented her place as a global shooting star. After facing setbacks at Tokyo 2020, her powerful comeback at Paris 2024 showcased her resilience, making her a true icon of determination and excellence in Indian sport.
