Manu Bhaker exorcised some ghosts of the past as she won India a quota place for the Paris Olympics in the 25-metre sports pistol event. Finishing fifth in the Asian Championships may not seem a big deal for a layman, but it builds on the steady progress Indian shooting has made in the last two decades.
“I was not even aware I had won the quota once I stepped out from my shooting lane and returned to sit on the chair,” Manu told this writer on Saturday. “The coach told me I had sealed the quota for India.”
Spread over two days, Manu had been in sublime form in the precision stage on Friday, as well as dueling on Saturday. “A score of 591 is top class and I am happy to have done well,” said Manu. Asked to compare the journey in recent months, Manu was frank. “The level of competition was sky high in Changwon (South Korea), and for me to win the quota place is good. It’s about peaking at the right time and staying calm.”
From the disaster at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, when she had a weapon malfunction in the air pistol, to battling lack of confidence in her form and technique, Manu had been through a trying phase. For someone used to shooting all events – air pistol, sports pistol and mixed events – her performance in the Asian Games in Hangzhou was tepid.
But she continued to place faith in Jaspal Rana, her personal coach. The story about the coach and shooter having “fought” had grabbed headlines in 2021. In 2023, when Manu decided to make her own decision, she met Jaspal, apologise and move forward.
“I am glad Manu has done well and as planned,” said Rana from Dehradun. “She had faith in me as a coach and our efforts have worked.” Rana, a Dronacharya award winner in 2020, had put Manu through many sessions in Dehradun and Delhi, at the Karni Singh Shooting Range. “We worked together before Manu and the team left for South Korea,” said Rana. “For things to fall in place was about technique, temperament and her confidence. I tracked her cards in precision and dueling. It is indeed world standard. We will look forward as to how he we can get better and better. Winning the quota is big and this restores Manu’s confidence.”
Manu has been spending from her pocket on her personal coach as the National Rifle Association of India and the Sports Authority of India “have issues” Rana. “Time was short when Manu came to me a few months ago,” said Rana. “She trusts me and I have seen her from a young age, so for us to work together has been really a team effort. To me, it does not matter whether I am part of the national coaching system or not.”
On what needs to be done from here on, Rana said they would work on the blueprint. “Competing in the second Olympics means Manu will be more experienced,” he said. As per rules, a shooter wins the quota place for the country. However, this is not the time to debate who will board the flight to Paris. That will be decided in 2024.