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Sarabjot Singh, the Indian shooter who made history with Manu Bhaker by winning India's first-ever Olympic medal in a mixed shooting event, has revealed the challenges and inspirations behind their success.Despite limited training time together, Bhaker and Sarabjot managed to secure a bronze medal in the 10m air pistol mixed team shooting event at the Paris Games. Sarabjot attributed their success to their unwavering determination and brief but focused training sessions."Our training schedules were different, but we made the most of the 30-minute mixed session," said Sarabjot. "We kept our conversations brief, focusing on giving our best and having some friendly banter."Sarabjot also shared his admiration for Turkish shooting icon Yusuf Dikec, who has been his inspiration since 2011. "I've been watching his videos for years," said Sarabjot. "His perfection is unmatched. If I could, I'd ask him what his secret is."To overcome setbacks in his journey, Sarabjot turned to meditation and a yogic technique called Trataka. "I would stare at a candle flame for three minutes, then visualize it for two minutes," he explained. "It helped me improve my focus and visualization, which is crucial in shooting."Sarabjot's pistol, engraved with "SSINGH30," holds special significance. "I got it engraved after achieving my personal best at the 2022 Asian Games," he said. "The date, September 30, marked a significant milestone in my career."Looking ahead, Sarabjot has set his sights on the 2028 Los Angeles Games. "I want to change the color of my medal," he said, referring to his bronze. "I'm determined to bring home a gold."

Avani Lekhara's journey to becoming a Paralympic shooting champion is a testament to her resilience and determination. After a car accident left her paralyzed at the age of 11, Avani found solace in shooting, a sport that gave her a sense of purpose and accomplishment.With the support of her parents, Avani began practicing shooting in 2015. Within six years, she had become a national champion and was representing India at the Tokyo Paralympics. In Tokyo, Avani made history by winning India's first medals in shooting at the Paralympics, a gold in the 10m air rifle and a bronze in the 50m rifle 3-positions.Avani's success has brought with it expectations, but she remains focused on her process and technique. She believes that by controlling the controllable and focusing on her training, she can achieve her goals.Avani's preparations for the Paris Paralympics have been aided by a quick recovery from gallbladder surgery. She is also benefiting from a healthy rivalry with upcoming shooter Mona Agarwal, who won gold at the World Cup in Delhi.Avani credits her personal coach, Chandra Shekhar, for her success. She says that he has been an integral part of her journey, helping her to focus on her basics and improve her technique.With her determination, resilience, and the support of her coach and family, Avani is poised to make history once again at the Paris Paralympics.

Manu Bhaker, the celebrated Indian shooter who made history at the Paris Olympics by becoming the first Indian to win two medals in the same Games, has shared a poignant throwback picture that captures her humble beginnings in the sport. The image, posted on social media, shows a young Manu practicing shooting with her schoolmates.Fast forward to today, Manu stands as one of India's most decorated Olympians, having etched her name in the annals of sporting history. Her journey to the pinnacle of success has been marked by unwavering determination and a relentless pursuit of excellence.Reflecting on her journey, Manu spoke candidly about the setbacks she faced, particularly after her disappointing performance at the Tokyo Olympics. "It was very difficult for me to be confident again," she admitted. "But I know the taste of losing and then winning. It's the beauty of sports."Manu emphasized the importance of hard work and perseverance in achieving one's goals. "To achieve the goal, we must put in a lot of hard work and effort," she said. "It doesn't always start with aiming for something big, you also have to work to achieve it. If you can dream big, you can achieve big."Beyond her sporting achievements, Manu also stressed the significance of embracing one's cultural heritage. "I have travelled almost half of the world," she said. "I have seen different kinds of people and cultures, their backgrounds and struggles. We should never be ashamed of where we come from."Manu's journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes and anyone who dares to dream big. Her message of resilience, hard work, and cultural pride resonates with all who seek to achieve greatness in their chosen fields.

Indian shooter Manu Bhaker has etched her name in the annals of Indian sports history by becoming the first athlete from independent India to win two individual medals in a single edition of the Olympics. At the recently concluded Paris Olympics 2024, Bhaker showcased her exceptional talent and determination, securing a bronze medal in the women's 10m air pistol event and another bronze in the 10m air pistol mixed team event alongside Sarabjot Singh.Bhaker's remarkable achievement has been met with widespread acclaim and recognition. Upon her return to India, she was felicitated at a ceremony where she was seen grooving to the popular song "Kala Chashma" with school children, a video of which has gone viral on social media.Prime Minister Narendra Modi also met with the Indian contingent that returned from Paris with six medals, including Bhaker's historic haul. Bhaker proudly displayed the pistol that brought her two bronze medals to the Prime Minister, who expressed his admiration for her accomplishments.The Indian men's hockey team, which won its second consecutive bronze at the Paris Games, also presented the Prime Minister with a stick signed by all the players. The team, led by captain Harmanpreet Singh, posed with the Prime Minister, their bronze medals gleaming around their necks.Prime Minister Modi praised the efforts of the Indian contingent, stating that every player who participated in the Paris Olympics is a champion. He emphasized the government's commitment to supporting sports and ensuring the development of top-quality sporting infrastructure in India.Bhaker's historic achievement is a testament to her hard work, dedication, and unwavering spirit. Her success has not only brought glory to India but has also inspired countless young athletes to pursue their dreams in sports.

Manu Bhaker, India's shooting sensation who won two bronze medals at the Paris Olympics 2024, is making the most of her time off by indulging in her hobbies and spending quality time with her family.During the festive occasion of Raksha Bandhan, Bhaker shared glimpses of her celebrations on social media. She posted a picture with her brother, symbolizing the traditional ritual of siblings blessing each other with gifts.In another Instagram story, Bhaker showcased her culinary skills, hilariously captioning it as "making the right use of my holidays with classes from my mother."Beyond her shooting prowess, Bhaker has revealed her passion for martial arts. She plans to dedicate her time off to practicing this discipline, which she pursued as a teenager before transitioning to shooting."Now, I have some time off and I can probably do that (martial arts) again," Bhaker told PTI. "I was not able to get that kind of time to invest myself into that. Finally, I can take time off for my hobbies, and I have many, many hobbies."Bhaker's hobbies extend beyond martial arts to include horse riding, skating, fitness, and dance. She is particularly fond of Bharatnatyam, a classical Indian dance form."I was training in France, I wasn't able to get time, not able to cope up with the (Bharatnatyam) classes," said Bhaker, whose trainer is from Tamil Nadu.Bhaker's diverse interests and dedication to her hobbies demonstrate her well-rounded personality and her commitment to personal growth beyond her sporting achievements.

Manu Bhaker and Jaspal Rana, a formidable duo in Indian shooting, have forged an unbreakable bond that has propelled them to Olympic glory. Bhaker, a 22-year-old shooting prodigy, describes Rana as a father figure who provides unwavering support and protection.Rana, a strict disciplinarian, believes his role extends beyond coaching. He aims to shield Bhaker from external pressures and even from herself. "My work is to protect her," he explains. "Sometimes, it means pushing her limits and reminding her of her capabilities."Bhaker's journey has been marked by both triumphs and setbacks. The Tokyo Olympics proved to be a disaster, with a malfunctioning weapon and disappointing performances. However, Rana's unwavering belief in her abilities helped her overcome the heartbreak."Tokyo taught me a lot," Bhaker reflects. "It made me realize the importance of preparation and mental health." Rana's guidance played a crucial role in her recovery, instilling in her a renewed determination to succeed.Despite her shooting prowess, Bhaker also values education. She scored exceptionally well in her 12th standard exams and pursued a degree at Lady Shri Ram College in Delhi University. Rana strongly encourages his wards to prioritize education, believing it provides a safety net for their future.Bhaker's academic achievements serve as an inspiration to aspiring athletes. She emphasizes the importance of balancing sports and education, as it fosters a well-rounded development.Rana's unwavering support extends beyond shooting. He has encouraged Bhaker to pursue a course at the prestigious Nalanda University, a testament to his belief in her intellectual capabilities.The bond between Bhaker and Rana is a testament to the power of mentorship and the transformative impact it can have on an athlete's career. Together, they have overcome adversity and achieved Olympic success, setting an example for future generations of shooters.

Manu Bhaker's coach, Jaspal Rana, has vehemently criticized the National Rifle Association of India's (NRAI) "ever-changing" Olympic selection policy. Rana believes that the lack of consistency has hindered the progress of promising shooters and will continue to do so if not addressed.Rana, a three-time Asiad gold medalist, questioned the federation's tendency to make last-minute policy changes and its refusal to acknowledge the role of personal coaches. He cited the examples of Saurabh Chaudhary and Jitu Rai, who faded away after showing great promise."The selection policy changes every six months," Rana said. "We need a clear and consistent policy that we can stick to."Rana also expressed concern about the lack of protection for Olympic and world medalists. He noted that Bhaker, despite winning two medals in Paris, will have to fight for a place in the national squad upon her return from a break."We don't see Olympic medalists after one or two Olympics because there is no system to protect them," Rana said. "They should be allowed to compete in every trial."Rana emphasized the importance of collaboration between personal and national coaches. He believes that one person should take the lead, but there should be mutual understanding.Bhaker thanked Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha for ensuring that Rana could assist her in Paris. She said that Usha's support was crucial in her success.Rana's criticism highlights the need for a stable and transparent selection policy that supports the development of shooters and ensures their long-term success.

Legendary double trap marksman Peter Wilson, who guided his compatriot Nathan Hales to trap gold at the recent Paris Olympics, has expressed interest in coaching the Indian shooting team for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.Wilson, 37, is a decorated shooter who won a gold medal in double trap at the 2012 London Olympics, becoming the youngest competitor to achieve this feat. He holds the world record in double trap and transitioned to shooting after a snowboarding accident prevented him from playing cricket.After double trap was removed from the Olympic program, Wilson turned to coaching the Great Britain trap team. His most notable success came in Paris, where his protégé Nathan Hales won gold with an Olympic record, ending a 12-year drought for Great Britain in the event.Wilson has expressed his desire to work with the Indian team, both the senior squad for the LA Games and the juniors for the next 8-12 years. He emphasized his unwavering pursuit of success and his belief that continental championships like the Asian Games and World Cups are stepping stones towards Olympic glory.Wilson's coaching credentials are impeccable. He was trained by the legendary Ahmad Al Maktoum, a member of the Dubai royal family and the 2004 Athens Olympics gold medalist in double trap. India's Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore finished second behind Al Maktoum in Athens.India has been without a foreign trap coach for some time, with most shooters at the Paris Olympics relying on personal coaches. Marcello Dradi of Italy was the last trap coach hired by the Sports Authority of India and the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI).NRAI secretary-general Sultan Singh confirmed that Wilson's CV has been received and that a decision on the coaching setup for all shooting events will be made soon. He indicated that the selection committee may meet before the NRAI president's election on September 14 if necessary.Other potential candidates for the job include Daniele Di Spigno, Italy's double trap stalwart, and David Kostelecky, the personal coach of Indian trap shooter Rajeshwari Kumari. However, the NRAI is committed to selecting the best coach available to meet the team's requirements.

Manu Bhaker, the 22-year-old shooting prodigy, has emerged as a beacon of hope for India after her remarkable performance at the Paris Olympics. Having endured the disappointment of Tokyo, Bhaker's journey to redemption has been marked by resilience, determination, and unwavering belief.In an exclusive interview with Hindustan Times, Bhaker shared her insights into the lessons she learned from Tokyo and the strategies she employed to achieve success in Paris. Overcoming her fears and embracing a confident mindset proved crucial. She also emphasized the importance of consistent training and the ability to adapt to different match scenarios.Bhaker's brilliance in the mixed event was a testament to her exceptional skills and the support of her coach, Jaspal Rana. She attributed her success to the meticulous planning and preparation that went into each competition.Reflecting on India's overall performance at Paris, Bhaker acknowledged the talent and potential of Indian athletes. However, she stressed the need for better planning, scouting, and support for young athletes. She believes that grassroots development and early identification of talent are essential for India to close the gap on the top medal winners at the Olympics.Bhaker also highlighted the importance of supporting former Olympians like Saurabh Chaudhary, who she considers the finest shooter she has ever witnessed. She urged authorities to provide opportunities for athletes to regain their form and contribute to India's sporting success.Bhaker's journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes and a reminder that setbacks can be transformed into triumphs with the right mindset and unwavering determination.