Who is Manish Narwal? Indian shooter claims silver medal at Paris Paralympics 2024

Indian shotter Manish Narwal won the silver medal in the men's 10m air pistol (SH1) event at the Paris Paralympics 2024 here on Friday. The 22-year-old Narwal had won the gold medal in the 50m pistol event at Tokyo 2020. Narwal was leading for quite some time before he slipped to the second spot following a series of poor scores. 

Manish Narwal registered a score of 234.9 to win the silver medal. Meanwhile, South Korean marksman Jo Jeongdu won the gold medal with a total score of 237.4.

Also Read: Avani Lekhara retains Paris Paralympics 2024 gold in 10m air rifle

Who is Manish Narwal?

Manish Narwal, the shining star of the Indian Para Shooting Team, hails from Ballabgarh, Haryana. Despite facing a congenital impairment in his right hand and coming from a modest background, his passion for shooting was sparked in 2016 when his family took him to a local shooting range. Instantly drawn to the sport, he began frequenting the range regularly, initially. Initially unaware of the Paralympics, Manish simply enjoyed competing with fellow athletes. 

His talent was soon recognized by coach Jai Prakash Nautiyal, under whose guidance Manish made his international debut at the 2017 Bangkok World Cup, where he clinched the gold medal in the P1 - 10m Air Pistol SH1 event and setting a Junior World Record in qualification and finals. Continuing to excel under the mentorship of High Performance Coach Jai Prakash Nautiyal and National Coach Subhash Rana, Manish Narwal secured many medals at different championships and world cups, solidifying his status as a star para shooter. 

Also Read: Paralympics: Double Podium For India in Paris; Avani Lekhara Wins Gold Medal, Mona Wins Bronze

Despite occasional challenges and low scores, he remains determined to perform at his peak. His self-motivation and relentless drive have led him to break numerous Junior and Senior World Records, establishing himself as a formidable force in the sport. A Paralympic and Asian Games gold medalist, Manish also secured a bronze at the 2022 Asian Para Games. With his sights set on the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games, Manish stands as a strong contender, carrying with him not only exceptional talent but also the hopes and aspirations of a nation.