Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh. (Photo Source: Jio Cinema)
In a historic moment for India, shooters Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh clinched the bronze medal in the 10m air pistol mixed team event at the ongoing Paris Olympics on Tuesday, July 30.
The duo’s achievement marks India’s second medal at the Paris event, following Bhaker’s earlier bronze in the individual 10m air pistol event on Sunday. Their success has registered Bhaker’s name in the history of the Indian Olympics, making her the first athlete from the country to win multiple medals in a single Olympic edition in 124 years.
In a nail-biting bronze medal match, the duo demonstrated exceptional skill and composure, edging out South Korea’s Wonho Lee and Ye Jin Oh with a score of 16-10.
The Indian pair established an early lead of 10-4, extending to 14-6 after ten series of shots. Despite a late escalation from the Korean team that briefly kept the match alive, India sealed the victory in the 13th series with a decisive 19.6 to Korea’s 18.5.
Bhaker and Sarabjot secured their spot in the 10m air pistol mixed team bronze medal match after placing third in the qualifications, scoring 580 points. They would have advanced to compete for the gold medal if they had scored just one more point.
The Haryana-born joins an elite group of Indian multiple Olympic medallists, including Norman Pritchard (athletics), Sushil Kumar (wrestling), and PV Sindhu (badminton). However, Bhaker is the first to achieve this feat at a single Olympic edition post-independence.
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This bronze medal not only adds to India’s tally but also marks the country’s first team event medal at the Paris Olympics.
“I feel really proud. There’s a lot of gratitude that I was able to do this. Thank you for all the blessings. We can not control (everything). We only want to control what is in our hands. Our plan was to keep fighting till the last shot,” Bhaker told India’s Olympic broadcaster JioCinema.
BRONZE MEDAL FOR INDIA!
WATCH LIVE NOW on #Sports18 and stream FREE on #JioCinema! 👇🏻https://t.co/iUm7ClTL2s#OlympicsOnJioCinema #OlympicsOnSports18 #JioCinemaSports #Cheer4Bharat #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/XqyWZxDxJ2
— JioCinema (@JioCinema) July 30, 2024
While her partner Sarabjot was also very happy with their performance. “The game was tough. There was a lot of pressure. I am very happy”.
Indian cricket fraternity was thrilled with the shooter’s success and congratulated them for winning bronze in the Paris Olympics. Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir heaped praises for both the athletes.
Here’s how the Indian cricketers reacted to Manu Bhaker, Sarabjot Singh’s historic Olympic medal moment:
Superb performance @realmanubhaker and #SarabjotSingh! 🇮🇳’s second medal! pic.twitter.com/ZN1DAuwfx4
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) July 30, 2024
MANU BHAKER BECOMES THE FIRST INDIAN WOMEN TO WIN 2 MEDALS IN A SINGLE OLYMPICS many many congratulation @realmanubhaker @Sarabjotsingh30 pic.twitter.com/NWTGRwN6K4
— Ashoke Dinda (@dindaashoke) July 30, 2024
So proud of both of them. And @realmanubhaker winning a second medal! Unprecedented. Incredible. Inspirational. #Paris2024 https://t.co/8ILj2u03vy
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) July 30, 2024
Double delight for India! Congratulations @realmanubhaker and @Sarabjotsingh30. You have made India proud.#Olympics2024
— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) July 30, 2024
What a #ProudMoment. Congratulations Manu Bhaker on becoming the first Indian to win two medals in same #Olympics 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/DZfrG5LsUv
— S.Badrinath (@s_badrinath) July 30, 2024
🥉 🇮🇳🫡 pic.twitter.com/s6B6bgiChx
— Yuzvendra Chahal (@yuzi_chahal) July 30, 2024
Congratulations, @realmanubhaker and @Sarabjotsingh30, for clinching 🥉 in the 10m air pistol mixed team event! Your dedication has paid off handsomely.
Manu, you’ve made history as the first Indian to bag 2 medals at the same Olympics! The entire nation is cheering for you! 🇮🇳… pic.twitter.com/9HifSCnZw1
— Mithali Raj (@M_Raj03) July 30, 2024
Well done @realmanubhaker & Sarbjot . proud of you 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/Bv7QUTvNTn
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) July 30, 2024