File image of Manu Bhaker.©AFP
Two-time Paris Olympics medalist Manu Bhaker has revealed that her mother wanted to send her to Kota for further studies, before the coach at her first shooting range convinced them to wait a year and support her career as a shooter. In an exclusive chat with NDTV, Manu also shared the story of her introduction to shooting and how the sport was introduced to her while she was in a class at school. The 22-year-old also spoke about her next goals and her process.
“My mother wanted to send me to an institute in Kota. But my coach noticed that my upper body strength was very good and told my family that I could excel and to give it a year,” said Manu at NDTV.
Manu rose to fame at the 2024 Paris Olympics, becoming the first athlete from independent India to win two Olympic medals in a single edition, winning bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol and mixed team events .
Manu shared the funny episode that led to the start of his interest in filming.
“I had never heard of shooting when I was a kid. We had a small shooting range at school. Once I skipped a boring class and my friend took me to the shooting range” , says Manu.
She said her mother had a huge influence. “My mother is my pillar of strength,” Manu said. “It’s a challenge (his busy schedule). I miss my family, I really miss them food at home (homemade food),” she added.
After winning two historic bronze medals, Manu has been out of action ever since. However, her return to filming is not far away, she revealed.
“I will start my training in November, with different camps and competitions. The ultimate goal is to win the gold medal at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics,” she said.
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