'Will Inspire Many Young Women': President, Vice President On Manu Bhaker Winning India’s 1st Medal at Paris Olympics

President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday congratulated Manu Bhaker for securing a bronze medal in the 10-meter air pistol event at the Paris Olympics, marking India’s first medal in shooting by a woman at the Olympics.

In a social media post on ‘X,’ Murmu said, “Heartiest congratulations to Manu Bhaker for opening India’s medal tally with her bronze medal in the 10 metre air pistol shooting event at the Paris Olympics. She is the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal in a shooting competition. India is proud of Manu Bhaker. Her feat is going to inspire many sportspersons, especially women. I wish she scales greater heights of accomplishment in the future.”

Congratulating Bhakar for her win, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar also shared, “Congratulations to Manu Bhaker on winning the bronze medal in the 10 metre Air Pistol shooting event in #ParisOlympics2024 . She not just opened the medal tally for India in Paris but also became the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal in shooting.”

“Manu Bhakar’s achievement is going to inspire the countless young girls who aspire to raise Bharat’s tricolour at #Olympic podium,” Dhankhar added.

Bhaker’s bronze medal ends a 12-year wait for a shooting medal for India since Gagan Narang and Vijay Kumar’s successes at the 2012 London Olympics.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also praised Bhaker, noting her historic achievement. In a post on ‘X,’ Modi wrote, “A historic medal! Well done, @realmanubhaker, for winning India’s FIRST medal at #ParisOlympics2024! Congrats for the Bronze. This success is even more special as she becomes the 1st woman to win a medal in shooting for India. An incredible achievement!”

‘A dream come true’: Manu Bhaker

In her remarks after winning the medal, Bhaker posted on X, “Bhakar in an X post, wrote “Winning this medal is a dream come true, not just for me but for everyone who has supported me. I am deeply grateful to the NRAI, SAI, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Coach Jaspal Rana sir, Haryana government and OGQ. I dedicate this victory to my country for their incredible support and love.”

With this medal, the 22-year-old Bhaker becomes the fifth Indian shooter to win an Olympic medal, joining RVS Rathore (2004), Abhinav Bindra (2008), Gagan Narang (2012), and Vijay Kumar (2012). This brings India’s total medal count in shooting at the Olympics to five—one gold, two silver, and two bronze.