Updated 27 July 2024 at 18:47 IST
The Indian contingent at the Paris Olympics received its first dose of optimism as Manu Bhaker, one of India's premier shooters, secured her place in the finals of the 10m Women's Air Pistol event. By finishing third in the qualification round, Bhaker has set the stage for what could be India's first medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Manu Bhaker secured a place in the finals by securing an impressive score of 580 out of 600 across six series. It demonstrates her potential to clinch a podium finish in the finals.
Manu Bhaker's path to the finals was marked by consistent and strong performances throughout the qualification round. Her series scores of 97, 97, 98, 96, 96, and 96 culminated in a total of 580 points, securing her third place.
Bhaker's crucial performance in the sixth and final round, where she shot a 96, was instrumental in sealing her spot in the finals.
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Manu Bhaker's journey to the Paris Olympics has been fueled by her experiences in the previous Tokyo 2020 Olympics. In Tokyo, she competed in three events with mixed results:
While she did not win any medal in Tokyo, these performances provided her with invaluable experience on the Olympic stage. The lessons learned have undoubtedly contributed to her current form and resilience, as seen in her qualification round performance in Paris.
Manu Bhaker's qualification for the finals is a significant milestone, as she becomes the first Indian shooter to reach this stage in the 10m Women's Air Pistol event at the Paris Olympics.
Published 27 July 2024 at 18:40 IST