PM Modi tells Manu Bhaker: ‘Gun betrayed you in Tokyo… at Paris you took care of everything’

After Manu Bhaker carved out twin slices of history: by becoming the first Indian woman to win a shooting medal at an Olympics and then by winning India’s first medal at the Paris Olympics, she got a congratulatory call from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Manu Bhaker had experienced heartbreak at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago, which were her first Games, when her weapon had malfunctioned. That issue in her first event at Tokyo 2020 had derailed her entire campaign as the Indian shooting contingent had also returned empty-handed from Japan’s capital.

But Manu Bhaker joined a club of four others — Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore (Men’s double trap Silver at Athens 2004), Abhinav Bindra (Men’s 10m air rifle Gold at Beijing 2008), Gagan Narang (Men’s 10m air rifle Bronze at London 2012 and Vijay Kumar (Men’s 25m rapid fire pistol Silver at London 2012) — to win a shooting medal at the Olympics.

And Prime Minister Modi was quick to remind her how she had suffered heartbreak in Tokyo but had managed to overcome it with a medal at Paris Olympics.

“At Tokyo, the weapon betrayed you. But this time, you took care of everything,” Modi said on his phone call to Manu Bhaker.

“After hearing about your medal, I’m very happy. You lost a silver medal by 0.1, but you still made us all proud (with a medal). You’re getting credit for two things (winning India’s first medal at Paris 2024 and becoming the first woman shooter from India to win an Olympics medal).”

ON the phone call he also checked on the arrangements for the Indian contingent at the Paris Athletes Village.

PM Modi also congratulated Manu Bhaker on social media, posting on X: “A historic medal! Well done, @realmanubhaker, for winning India’s FIRST medal at #ParisOlympics2024! Congrats for the Bronze. This success is even more special as she becomes the 1st woman to win a medal in shooting for India. An incredible achievement!.”

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President Droupadi Murmu also extended her wishes to Manu Bhaker.

“Heartiest congratulations to Manu Bhaker for opening India’s medal tally with her bronze medal in the 10-metre air pistol shooting event at the Paris Olympics. She is the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal in a shooting competition. India is proud of Manu Bhaker. Her feat is going to inspire many sportspersons, especially women. I wish she scales greater heights of accomplishment in the future,” President said.

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