Boria Majumdar in Paris
In Tokyo, she was all of 19 years old. And when she failed to win a medal because her gun malfunctioned, Manu Bhaker was viciously trolled. We forgot that she had qualified for the games on her own merit and had never promised anyone that she’d win a medal. No question that Manu most distraught that she couldn’t win. Did we try to find out what she went through? How did she cope with failure? Was she depressed?
We forgot that today’s vanquished are often tomorrow’s victors. And make no mistake, Manu is a rare talent. Unless we as a society are able to take care of the men and women who may not have won today, we can never get better as a nation. Manu now stands on the cusp of history. She is in the final of the 10m air pistol here in Paris, and if she has a good day today, there is no reason why she can’t make the podium.
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Deputy Chef de Mission Kalikesh Singh Deo reacts to Manu Bhaker’s qualification to the final round, calls Olympics “the greatest stage”.@RohanDC98 @iabhijitdesh with the full interaction.#BlueRev #OlympicGames #Paris2024 @AgeasFederal #Olympics2024Paris pic.twitter.com/Lq2b8RyKmj
— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) July 27, 2024
The point I wish to make is that we as a society need to inculcate respect for our athletes. It can’t only be respect for the winners and scorn for the rest. This is what explains why many of our past athletes had to live lives of penury and poverty, seeking out favours and doles. No one who has represented the country deserves that. That’s what we need to acknowledge and promise ourselves – not to abuse a Manu Bhaker going forward. We need to celebrate people for the effort they put in, and not simply laud those who are successful.
Coming back to Manu, I was with her the day she lost in Tokyo. In fact, when her gun malfunctioned, I was sitting right behind her. Anyone in such a situation would lose their nerve. That Manu was able to come back and shoot said so much about her temperament. But then, who cares for all these explanations when she didn’t win? We love to abuse, and with 140 characters on our smartphones, we have the license to do so. For Manu, it was hard. But she soaked it all in.
In fact, it hardened her. Made her battle-ready. On Sunday, it is her final test. Hers and Jaspal Rana’s. Her pairing with Rana was smirked at. Many said it was the worst call of her career. Yet, she did not flinch. Neither did Rana. They had a rough patch in Tokyo. They came back stronger, and here they are in Paris standing on the cusp of giving India a first medal.
Let’s not jump the gun just yet. We still have 60 shots of the final to get through. But one thing is certain. Manu has moved past Tokyo and is back to her best. She could well make Paris her own and is ready to do so. The 27 inner 10s, more than anyone else, were evidence that she is shooting well. Only, she needs to do it on Sunday so that India can embrace a new sporting star. That’s when talent would have meshed with opportunity and created something special, for her and her coach and mentor. More than a decade after London, an Indian shooter would be back on the podium. Can’t wait. Really can’t wait.
Also Read: Manu Bhaker Overcomes Past Setbacks to Secure Olympic Final Spot with Jaspal Rana’s Guidance