Manu Bhaker allayed fears she had lost focus after her path-breaking efforts at the Paris 2024 Olympics where she won two bronze medals and finished fourth in the sports pistol event. On August 3, 2024, Manu Bhaker shot her last competition in Chateauroux and has not touched her pistols after that. Prescribed a 100-day break by coach Jaspal Rana, she has enjoyed the rest period. The number of felicitation functions she has attended are countless, yet the return to her alma mater, Lady Shri Ram College, in New Delhi on Thursday was beautiful. To be back with the faculty and college students, her juniors of course, was emotional for Manu. And when she was presented her graduation degree, a first class in Political Science, it was even more beautiful. To be in sport and yet pursue a degree from India’s premier university and rank high, not many can do it. “I promise to be back for my second Masters degree,” said Manu, who recalled an incident when a lecturer had once turned her away from the class for coming late!
This was indeed inspirational talk for students who heard her speak maturely and at the same time capture her journey. Sitting in the audience was Maheshwari Chauhan, also a graduate from LSR College as well as Rhythm Sangwan’s parents. Rhythm is a third year English Honours student. To return to your own college and be feted as a champion was special but Manu was reverential in front of her teachers. One teacher who continues to be still a hard task master is coach Jaspal Rana. He was also felicitated by the college and spoke in his inimitable style. “If you are going to prepare for the LA 2028 Olympics, you cannot be late,” said Jaspal on stage. The function was at 11am and Jaspal himself arrived at 1030am. That’s the Dronacharya’s way of ensuring discipline, who should be back at the Karni Singh ranges with Manu from November 5/6.
Back to Manu and her hunger for shooting, it is very much intact. Her whirlwind tours around India and a holiday with the family in Dubai have been a great experience. Deep down, she is still humble and ready to make a comeback, fully aware two medals from the Olympics are a historic feat but to rest on laurels will do no good. “Honestly, I want to get back to the ranges, the break was deserved but now I feel like enough is enough,” said Manu. She knows there will be no favours when she is back at training sessions. “I have resumed my physical training sessions and workout. As I am taking exams (Masters) till November 5, I will then get back to the ranges. Yes, I am looking forward to it. And I know, working on technique and the training methods are going to be hard, as ever, under Jaspal Sir,” added Manu. The good part is, she is ready for the grind and knows she has to start from scratch. She was in a lot of pain at the Olympics but the prescribed 100-day break has been well earned.
“I know when I start shooting again, I will be nervous, initially. My base will be the Karni Singh ranges only and then depending on where all competitions take place, I will be travelling with my coach,” added Manu. So, does Manu have the same hunger or not? The fact is, she is ready to go through the grind and starting from scratch is important. To keep the Nationals in mind and then be part of trials again under the NRAI policy, there will be no short-cuts. At the same time, to face competition from the others is something Manu has loved. This time, youngsters will want to do even better than Manu. What will be crucial is her focus, which was evident when she spoke to this writer. “When I took a break after the Olympics, it was exciting. Now I am back at that stage where I am craving to shoot again,” stressed Manu.
For the record, she has been speaking to many champions from other walks of life. What it has taught her, at 22, there is so much more to achieve in her shooting career. Champions like Abhinav Bindra and Gagan Narang went through repeated Olympic cycles. For Manu, this will be the third, with an eye on the Asian Games first in 2026 in Nagoya.
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