Indian shooter Manu Bhaker received a warm welcome in her hometown of Jhajjar on Sunday after her historic performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The 22-year-old athlete earned recognition from the District Commissioner for her remarkable achievements, which have garnered nationwide acclaim.
Upon her arrival, Bhaker was greeted with a cascade of gifts and garlands from local residents. She further expressed deep gratitude for the support she has received throughout her career. “Support is crucial and comes from many sources, not just one individual. My journey began in my village, with significant backing from my school, family, and district. They helped resolve a licensing issue that played a key role in my development as a shooter,” Bhaker told reporters.
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Bhaker made history at the Paris Olympics by becoming the first Indian to win two medals in a single Olympic campaign since independence. She also became the first Indian woman to secure a medal in individual shooting events. Despite her groundbreaking achievements, Bhaker remains focused on her future goals, aiming for gold in her next Olympic appearance.
“My goal is always to strive for gold. These bronze medals have taught me valuable lessons, and I am determined to aim higher in the future,” she said.
Currently, Bhaker is on a three-month hiatus to recover from a minor injury. She further plans to return to training after her recovery, with a projected five-month timeline before resuming competitive events.
India marked its success at the Paris Games notably with the Jhajjar district contributing three of the country’s six medals. In addition to Bhaker’s two medals, wrestler Aman Sehrawat secured a bronze in men’s freestyle wrestling (57kg). District Commissioner Shakti Singh announced that officials will honor Sehrawat in Jhajjar on Tuesday.
“It is a tremendous source of pride for us. Our district’s daughter has achieved a historic milestone by winning two Olympic medals in a single campaign. With three medals from Jhajjar out of India’s total six, including Aman Sehrawat’s bronze, our district has made a significant impact. We are immensely proud and hopeful that she will continue to work hard and bring more accolades to our nation,” said Commissioner Singh.
However, the celebrations in Jhajjar underscore the profound impact of Bhaker’s achievements on her community and the broader Indian sporting landscape.
