The 2024 Paris Olympics commenced on July 26, and India has already made its mark thanks to Manu Bhaker. The 22-year-old athlete from Haryana has become the first Indian woman to win a bronze medal in the air pistol event at these historic games. But beyond her achievements in sports, Manu also has an impressive educational background.
Manu Bhaker hails from Jhajjar, Haryana, and has been passionate about sports since childhood. During her school years, she participated in various sports, including tennis, skating, and boxing. Notably, she has also competed at the national level in the Thang-Ta martial arts. She completed her schooling at Universal Public Senior Secondary School in Jhajjar and then pursued higher education at Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi. In 2021, she graduated with a BA (Hons) in Political Science. Currently, she is furthering her studies in Public Administration at Punjab University.
The Olympic website highlights that Manu’s interest in shooting was sparked after the Rio Olympics in 2016. Inspired by the event, she asked her father for a sports shooting pistol after just a week of practice. Her father, Ram Krishna Bhaker, who is an engineer in the Merchant Navy, promptly supported her new passion by providing the necessary equipment.
In addition to her sports and academics, Manu Bhaker has a wide range of hobbies, including music, reading, painting, sketching, dancing, and solving puzzles. Her talent and dedication have earned her numerous accolades, including the Arjuna Award in 2020 and the Best Young Athlete Award in 2019. She also had the honour of being India’s flag bearer at the Opening Ceremony of the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Manu’s commitment to her sport is evident in her rigorous training routine. According to reports from the Economic Times, she practices for five hours daily. Her regimen includes yoga and meditation, along with regular gym workouts five days a week.
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