In May 2024, news flashed that Manu Bhaker, the ace shooter, had won four times across two events in India’s pre-Olympic shooting trials. This particular information made you sit up and wonder whether she had regained her confidence and rhythm. In June last year, it seemed as if Manu wasn’t enjoying the sport. And then she made the decision to reunite with her coach Jaspal Rana. That move seemed to have made a difference. So, it rekindled some hopes in yours truly that Bhaker might go on to do well at the Paris Olympics.
As it so happened, Manu has already clinched two bronze medals in the ongoing Olympics in the 10m Air Pistol individual and mixed events. Can she go on to do one better and clinch an unprecedented third medal in Paris, in the 25m Air Pistol event? Let’s have a bird’s-eye view at the field that she would be up against in the qualifying round.
Doreen Vennekamp of Germany, the No. 1-ranked shooter in the 25m event, has been on a roll since her rather disappointing seventh-place finish in Tokyo. In 25m Pistol, she won the gold medal both in the 2023 World Cup and the 2024 edition held in Cairo, in January. To make it even better, she took home the gold in the 25m Pistol Team event in the 2022 World Cup.
Even in the World Cup final and World Championships, she has landed the big prize – the gold medal – on three occasions, in the 25m individual event. Alongside all those gold medals, she also has a slew of bronze and silver medals. The only medal missing in her glittering cabinet is a gold at the Olympics. She will start the qualifying round as the favourite.
Vennekamp – Hand – Right
Master Eye – Right
Never forget the Frenchwoman, Camille Jedrzejewski. She recently defeated none other than Vennekamp at the World Cup in Munich. On expected lines, it was a keenly contested final, with Jedrzejewski pipping her training partner and friend in a shoot-off. She went on to say, “Doreen is older than me, but she is really a kind person and so very talented. She helps me so much, and we shoot in the Bundesliga together for the same club.”
Along with the recent triumph, Jedrzejewski also has a gold from the 2022 World Cup event. However, just like Vennekamp, she doesn’t have an Olympic medal. She will be gunning for one in a few days’ time. We surely can’t forget the second-ranked Yang Jiin. The Korean has also bagged the gold and silver medal in the World Cup and World Championships. The ever-present Olena Kostevych too would be looking to make a mark. Yes, she is getting on in years, but the 39-year-old Ukrainian did win a bronze in 25m Air Pistol at the London Olympics.
Let’s also delve a bit into the chances of two Indian girls. At the age of just 19, Esha Singh showed fine temperament to chart a come-from-behind effort at the Asian Games last year, eventually winning the silver.
Last but not the least is the Indian stalwart, Manu. She has had her share of misfortunes in the 25m event. One of them was in the 2019 World Cup, when her pistol got jammed while leading. Last year, in the Asian Games, she progressed to the final, having come first in the qualifying round. In the final, however, she ended up fifth.
An entire nation will pray for some good luck in an event where Manu is quite formidable. Remember, she did match the world record in the trials this year. Even if she doesn’t get on the podium, Manu has made her country proud with her awe-inspiring achievements.