India, Dec. 23 -- Manu Bhaker made history in 2024 by securing two bronze medals at the Paris Olympics. She first achieved bronze in the women's 10m air pistol event, becoming the first Indian female shooter to earn a medal at any Olympic Games. Subsequently, she added another bronze in the mixed 10m air pistol team event alongside her teammate Sarabjot Singh. With these accomplishments, she became the first Indian athlete to achieve such a milestone at the Olympics since the country gained independence.

Earlier this year, Bhaker had posted on social media, questioning whether she deserved the 'Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award.' However, this post was met with criticism from fans who disapproved of her inquiry.

Currently, reports indicate that the 22-year-old is not among the nominees for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. Officials from the sports ministry explained that Bhaker did not submit an application for the award. However, sources close to her family have claimed that she did, in fact, apply for this prestigious sporting honour.

After experiencing a pistol malfunction at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which resulted in her returning without any medals, Bhaker made a remarkable comeback in Paris, effectively silencing her detractors. She has also won gold medals at both the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games, including a gold in the women's 25m pistol team event at the 2022 Asian Games and a gold in the women's 10m air pistol event at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, where she set a new Games record. Notably, at the age of 16, she became the youngest Indian to win gold at the World Cup in 2018.

A pivotal moment in her career was her reunion with coach Jaspal Rana, which played a significant role in her preparation for the 2024 Olympics. Bhaker has acknowledged Rana's training regimen as instrumental in her historic achievements in Paris.

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