Manu Bhaker, a prominent Indian shooter, has captivated the nation with her exceptional talent and achievements on the international stage. This post delves into her life, career, and remarkable journey to success.
Biography/Wiki
Manu Bhaker was born on February 18, 2002, in Goria, a village in Jhajjar, Haryana. She received her education at Universal Public Senior Secondary School in the same town. At the age of 23 (as of 2025), her accomplishments already mark her as a significant figure in Indian sports.
Physical Appearance
• Height (approx.): 5′ 4″
• Eye Colour: Black
• Hair Colour: Black
Family & Caste
Born into a Jat family, Manu’s father, Ram Kishan Bhaker, is a Chief Engineer in the Merchant Navy, and her mother, Sumedha, is a school teacher. She has one brother, Akhil.
Career
Before her shooting career, Manu trained at Virender Sehwag’s coaching school in Jhajjar and participated in boxing and kickboxing. An eye injury sustained during a volleyball warm-up led her to abandon boxing. She explored various other sports, including Tha-thang and Judo, before discovering her passion for shooting.
A casual visit to her school’s shooting range marked a turning point. Her first attempt with a pistol resulted in a remarkable score of 7.5, immediately showcasing her natural talent. Jaspal Rana mentored her, guiding her to take shooting seriously. Her success culminated in a historic bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, becoming the first Indian woman to achieve this in the women’s 10m air pistol event.
Medals
Manu’s impressive medal tally includes numerous gold, silver, and bronze medals at various prestigious competitions.
| Medal | Competition | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | 10m air pistol at the 2018 Guadalajara ISSF World Cup | 2018 |
| Gold | 10m air pistol mixed team at the 2018 Guadalajara ISSF World Cup | 2018 |
| Gold | Women’s 25m Air Pistol Team event at the 2023 Asian Games | 2023 |
| Bronze | Women’s shooting 10m air pistol event at the 2024 Paris Olympics | 2024 |
| Bronze | 10m air pistol mixed team event at the 2024 Paris Olympics | 2024 |
| Silver | 10m air pistol mixed team at the 2018 Buenos Aires Youth Olympic Games | 2018 |
This table only highlights a selection of her many achievements. She has consistently demonstrated exceptional skill and dedication throughout her career.
Awards
• Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award (January 2025)
• BBC Sportswoman of the Year (February 2025)
Favourites
• Shooter: Jaspal Rana and Heena Sidhu
• Food: Aloo Ka Paratha, Namkeen Rice, Gajjar Ka Raita, and Choorma
• Cricketer(s): Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Sachin Tendulkar
• Sportsperson(s): Neeraj Chopra, PV Sindhu, Usain Bolt
Controversies
A public exchange with Haryana Sports Minister, Anil Vij, regarding a promised cash prize, generated media attention. Additionally, following the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, reports surfaced regarding a disagreement with her coach, Jaspal Rana.
Net Worth
As of January 2025, her net worth was estimated at Rs. 12 Crore, with a brand value of Rs. 1.5 Crore.
Facts
• Manu’s adventurous spirit is evident in her hobbies, which include needlework, bungee jumping, and ice skating.
• Before focusing on shooting, she explored several other sports.
• At the 2017 National Games, she won 9 gold medals, surpassing Heena Sidhu’s record.
• She became the youngest Indian to win a gold medal at the ISSF World Cup in 2018.
• Manu and P.R. Sreejesh were the Indian flag bearers at the 2024 Paris Olympics closing ceremony.
• She addressed and denied rumors regarding her engagement to Neeraj Chopra.
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