Date: May 23, 2025: Manu Bhaker is a famous Indian shooter. She was born on February 18, 2002, in Goria village, Jhajjar district, Haryana. Her father, Ram Kishan Bhaker, is a chief engineer in the Merchant Navy. Her mother, Sumedha Bhaker, is a teacher. Manu grew up in a family that valued both sports and studies.
Early Life And Family
Manu’s childhood was full of sports. She tried many games like boxing, tennis, skating, judo, and a martial art called thang-ta. She won medals in these sports at the national level. Her father always supported her dreams. When Manu was 14, she saw shooting on TV during the 2016 Rio Olympics. She wanted to try shooting. Her father spent ₹1,50,000 to buy her a pistol and help her start training.
Manu’s mother also supported her. She taught Manu the Bhagavad Gita, which helped Manu stay calm and focused during tough times.
Manu Bhaker Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Achievements, Medals, Husband, Family
Field | Details |
---|---|
Full Name | Manu Bhaker |
Date of Birth | February 18, 2002 |
Place of Birth | Goria village, Jhajjar district, Haryana, India |
Family | Father: Ram Kishan Bhaker (Merchant Navy), Mother: Sumedha Bhaker (Teacher) |
Started Shooting | 2016, after trying boxing, judo, tennis, skating, and thang-ta |
National Debut | 2017 National Shooting Championship, Kerala – Gold medal |
Major Breakthrough | 2018: Gold at ISSF World Cup (Guadalajara, Mexico) in 10m Air Pistol |
Commonwealth Games 2018 | Gold medal in 10m Air Pistol (Gold Coast, Australia) |
Youth Olympic Games 2018 | Gold medal in 10m Air Pistol (Buenos Aires, Argentina) |
Asian Games | 2018: Gold in 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team; 2022: Gold in 25m Pistol Team |
World Championships | 2023: Gold in 25m Pistol Team (Baiku); 2022: Silver in 25m Pistol Team (Cairo) |
Olympic Games | 2021 Tokyo: No medal (gun malfunction); 2024 Paris: Bronze in 10m Air Pistol |
Olympic Records | First Indian woman shooter to win an Olympic medal (bronze, Paris 2024) |
Other Major Medals | 7 medals at Asian Games/Championships; 22 medals at World Championships/World Cups |
Education | Political Science graduate, Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi; Master’s at DAV College, Chandigarh |
Awards | Arjuna Award (2019) |
Age (as of 2025) | 23 years |
Notable Traits | Calm under pressure, inspired by Bhagavad Gita, resilience after setbacks |
Start of Shooting Career
Manu started shooting in 2016. She loved the sport from the first day[4][5][6][7]. She worked hard and trained every day. In 2017, she won a gold medal at the National Shooting Championships. She also won nine gold medals at the National Games in Kerala and set a national record in the 10m air pistol event[7]. This made her famous in India.
Big Achievements
Manu’s first big international win came in 2018. She was only 16 years old. She won a gold medal at the ISSF World Cup in Guadalajara, Mexico, in the women’s 10m air pistol event. She also won gold in the mixed team event with Om Prakash Mitharwal. Manu became the youngest Indian to win a gold medal at a World Cup.
In the same year, she won gold at the Commonwealth Games in Australia. She set a new record in the women’s 10m air pistol event. She also won gold at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, becoming the first Indian to win gold in shooting at the Youth Olympics.
More Medals and Records
Manu did not stop after 2018. She kept winning medals in many big events:
She won gold at the Asian Games in the women’s 25m pistol team event in 2022
She won medals at the World Championships and World Cups. She has won 22 medals at these events so far
She set many national records in both the 10m air pistol and 25m pistol events
Olympic Journey
Manu’s dream was to win an Olympic medal for India. She took part in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. But her pistol had a problem during the event, and she could not win a medal. Manu was sad and even thought about quitting shooting in 2023. She wanted to study abroad and leave the sport[5]. But her coach, Jaspal Rana, encouraged her to keep going. With his help, Manu decided to continue shooting.
Historic Win at Paris Olympics 2024
In 2024, Manu made history. She became the first Indian woman shooter to win an Olympic medal. She won a bronze medal in the 10m air pistol event at the Paris Olympics. She also won another bronze in the 10m pistol mixed team event, becoming the first Indian to win two medals in a single Olympic Games. This made all of India proud.
Education
Manu did not forget her studies. She finished her schooling at Universal Higher Senior Secondary School in Goria, which was started by her grandfather. She studied Political Science at Lady Shri Ram College, New Delhi, and graduated in 2021. She is now doing her master’s in Public Administration at DAV College, Chandigarh.
Awards and Honors
Manu has received many awards for her achievements. In 2019, she got the Arjuna Award, which is a big honor for Indian athletes[3]. She is seen as a role model for young athletes in India.
How Manu Stays Calm
Manu says that the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita help her stay calm. She believes in doing her best and not worrying about the results. This helps her focus during competitions.
Challenges and Comeback
Manu’s journey was not always easy. She faced problems like equipment failure and losing important matches[5][6]. She even thought about quitting. But with support from her family and coach, she came back stronger. Her story shows the importance of never giving up.
Inspiration for Others
Manu Bhaker’s life is an inspiration. She started from a small village and reached the world stage. She worked hard, stayed focused, and broke many records. She showed that with dedication, anyone can achieve their dreams.
Interesting Facts
Manu is the youngest Indian to win gold at the World Cup and the Youth Olympics
She was the flag bearer for India at the Youth Olympic Games
She has won medals in many sports, not just shooting
Conclusion
Manu Bhaker is a true champion. She has made India proud with her achievements in shooting. She is still young and has many more years to shine. Her simple life, hard work, and positive thinking make her a hero for young people in India. Her journey teaches us to dream big, work hard, and never give up.