Picture a 14-year-old girl, eyes fixed on Olympic dreams, asking her father for a pistol. That’s Manu Bhaker, whose audacious request launched one of India’s most remarkable sporting tales. Hailing from Jhajjar, Haryana, born February 18, 2002, Manu was destined for bravery, named after Rani Lakshmibai’s childhood alias by her Merchant Navy father and devoted mother.
Her versatile youth included tennis, boxing, skating, and national success in Than Ta. But shooting called louder. Post-Rio 2016, her father’s quick action with the pistol opened doors. By 2017, she was rewriting records at the National Championships with a stunning 242.3 in 10m air pistol finals and earning Asian junior silver.
At 16, the ISSF World Cup gold in mixed team made her India’s youngest champion. Nine golds at Kerala Nationals followed. Commonwealth 2018 gold came with a record, plus junior World Cup triumphs. Tokyo 2020 disappointments—mid-table finishes—tested her, but she emerged stronger with World Cup podiums, World silver, and Asian Games gold.
Paris 2024 delivered poetic justice: bronzes in 10m women’s and mixed air pistol, etching her name as the pioneer of double Olympic medals for India in one edition. Awards like Khel Ratna 2024 and Arjuna 2020 salute her precision and poise. Manu’s path reminds us that extraordinary achievements stem from daring first steps and unwavering commitment.