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Star pistol shooter Manu Bhaker made a triumphant return to India on Wednesday, greeted by a jubilant crowd of supporters and family members at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. Bhaker's historic feat of winning two medals at the Tokyo Olympics, a bronze in the women's 10m air pistol and another in the 10m air pistol mixed team event, has etched her name in the annals of Indian sporting history.The Air India flight carrying Bhaker and her coach, Jaspal Rana, touched down at around 9:20am, an hour behind schedule. Despite the early morning drizzle, hundreds of people had gathered at the airport hours before her arrival, eager to witness the return of their Olympic hero.As Bhaker emerged from the airport exit, she was greeted with a thunderous applause, bouquets, garlands, and the rhythmic beats of dhol. Flower petals were showered upon her and Rana as they made their way through the crowd, which was managed by a significant police presence.Among those present to welcome Bhaker were her parents, Ram Kishan and Sumedha, as well as sports enthusiasts and officials from her home states of Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand. Rana's father, Narayan Singh Rana, a former Uttarakhand Sports Minister, expressed his pride in his son and Bhaker's achievements."It is a matter of pride for us that a daughter of India is coming back after creating history by winning two medals in an Olympics. It has never happened before. She is only 22 years old," said Rana.Bhaker's historic feat has drawn comparisons to British-Indian athlete Norman Pritchard, who won two silver medals in the 200m sprint and 200m hurdles at the 1900 Olympics. However, Bhaker's achievement is particularly significant as it came in the post-Independence era.Before leaving for India, Bhaker had expressed her anticipation for a grand welcome, and she was not disappointed. The crowd celebrated her feat with song and dance, holding banners with photos of Bhaker and Rana.Bhaker is scheduled to meet with Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya in the afternoon. She will then return to Paris on Saturday to participate in the closing ceremony of the Olympics, where she will be one of India's flag-bearers.

India's shooting contingent has made history at the Paris Olympics, ending a two-decade medal drought with three bronze medals. The performance marks a significant turnaround for the sport in the country, which had failed to win any medals at the previous two Olympics.The team's success can be attributed to a comprehensive overhaul of its preparation strategy after the Tokyo Olympics. The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) implemented a system that prioritized athlete-centric training, coach-driven guidance, and administrative support.Sports science, mental training, strength and conditioning, and nutrition were meticulously incorporated into the program. Beijing Olympics champion Abhinav Bindra was brought in as a mentor to provide motivation and guidance.The introduction of Olympic selection trials and the removal of bonus points ensured a level playing field for all athletes. This resulted in a highly competitive team that included some of the world's top shooters.At the Olympics, India's shooters displayed remarkable consistency, with multiple athletes qualifying for finals. Manu Bhaker emerged as a star, winning two bronze medals in the air pistol individual and mixed events. Swapnil Kusale also secured a bronze in the 50m rifle three positions.The team's success has not only brought glory to India but has also inspired a new generation of shooters. The NRAI's focus on personal coaches and a positive team environment has fostered a culture of excellence that is likely to drive the growth of the sport in the years to come.

India's Olympic journey in Paris 2024 was marked by a series of near misses, with five athletes finishing just shy of the podium. Arjun Babuta, Dhiraj Bommadevara, Ankita Bhakat, Manu Bhaker, and Lakshya Sen all came agonizingly close to securing a medal, but ultimately fell short.Babuta narrowly missed out on a bronze in the men's 10m air rifle shooting, finishing fourth with a score of 208.4. In the mixed team archery event, Bommadevara and Bhakat made history by becoming the first Indian archers to reach the semi-finals, but lost in the bronze medal match to the USA.Manu Bhaker, who had won two Olympic medals in previous editions, came close to a third in the women's 25m pistol shooting final. However, a series of poor shots near the end caused her to drop to fourth place after a shoot-off against Hungary's Veronika Major.Badminton star Lakshya Sen's hopes of becoming the first Indian male shuttler to win an Olympic medal were dashed in the semi-finals by Denmark's Victor Axelsen. In the bronze medal match, he lost to Malaysia's Lee Zii Jia, crushing his dreams of a podium finish.India's shooting contingent also faced disappointment in the mixed skeet bronze-medal match. Maheshwari Chauhan and Anant Jeet Singh Naruka lost by a single point to China, finishing fourth overall.Despite these near misses, the Indian athletes displayed immense skill and determination. They join a list of 17 other Indian athletes who have finished fourth in their respective events at the Olympics, including wrestling legend Randhir Shinde, track and field icon Milkha Singh, and tennis duo Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupati.These fourth-place finishes serve as a testament to the growing competitiveness of Indian athletes on the global stage. While they may not have reached the podium, their performances have inspired a nation and set the stage for future Olympic success.

Ace Indian shooter Manu Bhaker has been bestowed the honor of being India's flag bearer at the closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics 2024. The 22-year-old markswoman etched her name in Indian sporting history by securing two bronze medals in Paris.Bhaker's remarkable journey began with a bronze in the individual 10m air pistol event, making her the first Indian woman shooter to win an Olympic medal. She broke India's 12-year medal drought in shooting, following Vijay Kumar and Gagan Narang's podium finishes in London 2012.Not content with one medal, Bhaker teamed up with Sarabjot Singh to clinch another bronze in the 10m air pistol mixed team event. This achievement made her the first Indian woman to win multiple medals at a single Olympic Games."Manu has been chosen to be the flag bearer. She has done exceptionally well and deserves the honor," an IOA official confirmed to PTI.Bhaker expressed her gratitude for the recognition, stating, "There are many in the contingent who are more deserving, but it will be a real honor if I am asked to."The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has yet to finalize the male flag bearer, with the decision expected in the coming days.Besides Bhaker's two medals, Swapnil Kushale added a third bronze for India in the men's 50m Rifle Three Positions. Ace shuttler Lakshya Sen will compete for bronze on Monday, while the Indian men's hockey team advanced to the semi-finals after defeating Great Britain on penalties.Reigning Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra will commence his javelin throw campaign on August 6.In the opening ceremony, star shuttler PV Sindhu and veteran table tennis player Sharath Kamal led the Indian contingent as flag bearers in the Parade of Nations.

Manu Bhaker, India's shooting sensation, has made history by becoming the first Indian woman to win a shooting medal at the Olympics. Her bronze medals in the women's 10m air pistol and 10m air pistol mixed team events at the ongoing Paris Olympics 2024 have opened India's medal count and brought immense pride to the nation.The 22-year-old from Haryana's Jhajjar district has been on a remarkable journey, dedicating eight and a half years to her sport. Her unwavering commitment and hard work have paid off, culminating in this historic achievement. Bhaker's success is not only a personal triumph but also a testament to the dedication and support of her team, including her coach, family, and countless others who have believed in her.Despite the sacrifices she has made, including being away from her family for extended periods, Bhaker remains grounded and grateful for the love and support she has received. Her social media following has skyrocketed to over 1 million on Instagram, and she has been lauded by legends like PV Sindhu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Bhaker's victory is a reminder of the power of perseverance and the importance of believing in oneself. She has faced challenges and setbacks along the way, but her determination has never wavered. Her success is an inspiration to aspiring athletes and a source of pride for all Indians.As she sets her sights on the LA Olympics 2028, Bhaker remains focused on her goals. Her rigorous training routine and unwavering commitment will undoubtedly lead her to even greater heights. Her journey is a testament to the indomitable spirit of Indian athletes and the transformative power of sport.

Indian shooters Maheshwari Chauhan and Raiza Dhillon faced disappointment at the Paris Olympics on Sunday, failing to qualify for the final of the women's skeet competition. Chauhan finished in 14th place with a score of 118, while Dhillon placed 23rd with 113.Chauhan started the competition strongly, shooting 23, 24, and 24 in the first three series on Saturday. However, her performance dipped slightly in the final two series, with scores of 25 and 22. Dhillon, on the other hand, struggled to find consistency throughout the qualification round, recording scores of 21, 22, 23, 23, and 24.Only the top six shooters in the qualification round advanced to the final. Italy's Diana Bacosi, the 2016 Rio Olympic gold medalist, also failed to qualify, finishing just below Chauhan in 15th place with a score of 117.On the first day of qualifications, Chauhan had been in contention for a top-six finish, sitting in eighth place with an aggregate of 71. However, her performance on Sunday was not enough to secure a spot in the final. Dhillon, who was placed 25th after the first day, also failed to improve her position significantly.Meanwhile, Indian shooters Vijayveer Sidhu and Anish Bhanwala are currently competing in the 25m rapid fire pistol men's qualifications.

Manu Bhaker, the 22-year-old shooting prodigy, may not have returned from the Paris Olympics 2024 with a third medal, but she etched her name in history as India's first dual medal winner at a single edition of the Games.After securing two bronze medals in the 10m air pistol and mixed team events, Bhaker was poised to complete a hat-trick in the women's 25m air pistol. However, she narrowly missed out on the podium, finishing fourth in the final.Despite the disappointment, Bhaker's performance was met with an outpouring of support from the Indian public. She had previously urged them not to be disheartened if she failed to win a third medal, and her wish was granted."I got really nervous in the last shot. I was trying to keep calm, but it was not enough. Fourth place is not a very good place," Bhaker said after the event.Despite the setback, Bhaker remained optimistic. "Already looking forward to the next one," she declared.During her time in Paris, Bhaker achieved several historic firsts for India. She opened the country's medal account with her bronze in the 10m air pistol, becoming the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal in shooting in 12 years.Her second bronze, in the mixed team event, further cemented her status as a rising star. In just 72 hours, Bhaker had become a national icon.With her exceptional talent and unwavering determination, Bhaker represents a bright future for Indian shooting. She expressed gratitude to all those who supported her journey, including the Ministry of Sports, SAI, Prime Minister Modi, her coach, and her family."I hope we come up with a better result next time," Bhaker said, reflecting on her experience in Paris.

Indian shooter Arjun Babuta has expressed disappointment over the lack of support he has received from the Punjab government despite his remarkable achievements in the sport. Babuta, who narrowly missed out on an Olympic medal in the men's 10m Air Rifle event at the recently concluded Paris Olympics, has been vocal about his expectations for job security and recognition from the state government.In an interview with ANI, Babuta revealed that he has not received any benefits from the Punjab government despite his success. He recalled a promise made by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and then Sports Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer in 2022 to offer him a government job. However, Babuta said he has yet to receive a concrete response to his request."I have written a letter in this regard, but in reply, I was told to wait. It is very disappointing and I hope they will look into it as job security is very important. I hope they will acknowledge my efforts. I should be given a certain rank according to my achievements in sports," Babuta said.Babuta also criticized the Punjab government for its alleged neglect of sports in the state. He pointed out that while Chief Ministers of other states welcomed and celebrated shooters from their respective states who participated in the Olympics, the Punjab government failed to do so."Governments are changing, but the demand remains the same. The hope is slowly fading away. The Chief Ministers of different states cheered and met the shooters from their respective states who participated in the Olympics. But nothing was done by the Punjab CM and state Sports Minister for the shooters from the state. They didn't even welcome us at the airport," Babuta added.Babuta's comments highlight the challenges faced by athletes in India, particularly those from smaller states. Despite their achievements on the international stage, many athletes struggle to receive adequate support and recognition from their state governments.Despite the setbacks, Babuta remains determined to continue his shooting career. He has set his sights on the LA 28 Olympics and the Shooting World Cup. With his talent and dedication, Babuta has the potential to achieve even greater success in the future.

Indian pistol shooter Manu Bhaker, aiming for an unprecedented hat-trick of Olympic medals, delivered a stellar performance in the 25m sports pistol event at the ongoing Chateauroux Shooting World Cup on Friday. The 22-year-old sharpshooter, who has already secured two bronze medals in the 10m women's air pistol and 10m air pistol mixed team events, showcased her exceptional skills to finish second in qualification and book a place in the final.Bhaker's impressive display began in the 'precision' round, where she shot an impressive 294. Her accuracy and precision were even more evident in the rapid round, where she fired a remarkable 296, bringing her aggregate score to 590. This placed her just two points behind leader Veronika Major of Hungary, who shot an aggregate of 592 (294 and 298) to equal the Olympic record.Bhaker's performance is a testament to her unwavering determination and the hard work she has put in to prepare for the Tokyo Olympics. She has consistently performed at the highest level, winning multiple medals at international competitions. Her ability to maintain her focus and execute under pressure is a key factor in her success.India has made a strong start to the Chateauroux Shooting World Cup, winning all three medals so far in shooting. Bhaker's two bronze medals and Swapnil Kusale's bronze in the 50m rifle three-positions event have given the Indian contingent a solid foundation.Bhaker's performance in the 25m sports pistol event has raised expectations for her in the upcoming Olympic Games. She is one of India's brightest medal prospects in shooting and will be aiming to add to her already impressive collection of medals.