Manu Bhaker, from Jhajjar, Haryana, is a prominent Indian sport shooter known for her remarkable achievements in the 10m Air Pistol events. Rising quickly to international fame, she has won multiple gold medals at prestigious competitions, including the ISSF World Cup, Commonwealth Games, and Youth Olympic Games. Manu's dedication and success have made her a role model for aspiring athletes in India.

Early Life and Background

Manu Bhaker was born on February 18, 2002, in Jhajjar, Haryana, India. She hails from a humble background, with her father, Ram Kishan Bhaker, working as a chief engineer in the Merchant Navy, and her mother, Sumedha Bhaker, a school teacher. Manu showed interest in sports from a young age, initially dabbling in sports like boxing, tennis, and skating before discovering her passion for shooting.

Education

Manu pursued her schooling at Universal Senior Secondary School in Jhajjar. Balancing academics and sports, she has managed to excel in both, reflecting her dedication and hard work.

Shooting Career

Manu Bhaker's journey in shooting began at the age of 14 when she joined a local shooting range. She quickly rose to prominence in the sport due to her exceptional talent and determination. Her first major success came in 2017 when she won nine gold medals at the National Shooting Championships in Kerala.

In 2018, she made a mark on the international stage by winning gold in the ISSF World Cup in Guadalajara, Mexico, in the 10m Air Pistol event. She continued her winning streak by securing a gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia, in the same event.

Major Achievements

1. ISSF World Cup (2018): Gold medal in the 10m Air Pistol event in Guadalajara, Mexico.
2. Commonwealth Games (2018): Gold medal in the 10m Air Pistol event in Gold Coast, Australia.
3. Youth Olympic Games (2018): Gold medal in the 10m Air Pistol event in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
4. Asian Games (2018): Bronze medal in the 10m Air Pistol mixed team event in Jakarta, Indonesia.
5. ISSF World Cup Finals (2019): Gold medal in the 10m Air Pistol mixed team event in Putian, China.

Legacy and Impact

Manu Bhaker has become a role model for young athletes in India, especially girls aspiring to make a mark in sports. Her achievements have not only brought glory to the nation but also inspired many to pursue their dreams with determination and hard work.

Awards

ISSF World Cup

• Gold Medal (2018): Manu Bhaker won her first international gold medal at the ISSF World Cup held in Guadalajara, Mexico, in the 10m Air Pistol event.
• Gold Medal (2018): At the Munich ISSF World Cup, she secured another gold medal in the 10m Air Pistol mixed team event alongside Om Prakash Mitharval.
• Gold Medal (2019): She clinched gold in the 10m Air Pistol mixed team event at the ISSF World Cup Finals in Putian, China, with Saurabh Chaudhary.

Commonwealth Games

• Gold Medal (2018): Manu Bhaker won gold in the 10m Air Pistol event at the Commonwealth Games held in Gold Coast, Australia, making her one of the youngest Indian shooters to achieve this feat.

Youth Olympic Games

• Gold Medal (2018): She made history by winning India's first-ever gold medal in shooting at the Youth Olympic Games held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in the 10m Air Pistol event.

Asian Games

• Bronze Medal (2018): Manu Bhaker, alongside Abhishek Verma, won a bronze medal in the 10m Air Pistol mixed team event at the Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia.

National Shooting Championships

• Nine Gold Medals (2017): She won nine gold medals at the National Shooting Championships held in Kerala, demonstrating her dominance in the sport at a young age.

Other Recognitions

• National Child Award for Exceptional Achievement (2018): Awarded by the President of India, this award recognizes exceptional achievements by young individuals in various fields, including sports.
• FICCI India Sports Award (2018): Manu Bhaker was honored with this award for her outstanding performance and contribution to Indian sports.
• Arjuna Award (2020): One of India's highest sporting honors, the Arjuna Award, was bestowed upon her for her excellence in shooting and her contributions to Indian sports.

FAQ's

Q. Who is Manu Bhaker?

Answer: Manu Bhaker is an Indian sport shooter known for her achievements in the 10m Air Pistol and 10m Air Pistol mixed team events. She has won multiple gold medals at international competitions, including the ISSF World Cup, Commonwealth Games, and Youth Olympic Games.

Q. When and where was Manu Bhaker born?

Answer: Manu Bhaker was born on February 18, 2002, in Jhajjar, Haryana, India.

Q. What are Manu Bhaker's major achievements in shooting?

Answer: Manu Bhaker's major achievements include:

• Gold medal at the ISSF World Cup (2018, 2019)
• Gold medal at the Commonwealth Games (2018)
• Gold medal at the Youth Olympic Games (2018)
• Bronze medal at the Asian Games (2018)
• Multiple gold medals at the National Shooting Championships (2017)

Q. What awards has Manu Bhaker received?

Answer: Manu Bhaker has received several prestigious awards, including:

• National Child Award for Exceptional Achievement (2018)
• FICCI India Sports Award (2018)
• Arjuna Award (2020)

Q. How did Manu Bhaker start her shooting career?

Answer: Manu Bhaker started her shooting career at the age of 14 when she joined a local shooting range. Initially interested in various sports like boxing, tennis, and skating, she eventually discovered her passion for shooting and quickly excelled in it.

Q. What is Manu Bhaker's educational background?

Answer: Manu Bhaker pursued her schooling at Universal Senior Secondary School in Jhajjar, Haryana. She has managed to balance her academic commitments with her shooting career successfully.

Q. What challenges has Manu Bhaker faced in her career?

Answer: Manu Bhaker has faced challenges such as dealing with the pressures of international competition, balancing academics and sports, and overcoming setbacks in some events. Despite these challenges, she has shown resilience and determination, making strong comebacks.

Q. What impact has Manu Bhaker had on Indian sports?

Answer: Manu Bhaker has become a role model for young athletes in India, especially girls aspiring to make a mark in sports. Her achievements have inspired many to pursue their dreams with dedication and hard work, and she has significantly elevated the status of Indian shooting on the global stage.

Q. What are Manu Bhaker's future aspirations?

Answer: Manu Bhaker aims to continue her pursuit of excellence in shooting, with goal of winning medals at the Olympics and other prestigious international competitions. She is dedicated to furthering her career and bringing more glory to India.

Q. How can I follow Manu Bhaker's updates and achievements?

Answer: You can follow Manu Bhaker on her social media profiles, where she regularly shares updates about her training, competitions, and personal life. Additionally, major sports news outlets often cover her achievements and events.