Imagine a 22-year-old girl from a small town in Haryana, holding a tiny gun, aiming at a target far away, and making the whole country cheer. That’s Manu Bhaker for you—a name that’s lighting up India like a firecracker. Right now, she’s in New Delhi, ready to do something no Indian shooter has ever done: win three medals in one ISSF World Cup Final. She’s already grabbed a shiny gold medal on April 3, and with the event starting on April 6, everyone’s asking—can she make history?
In This Article:
A Simple Girl with a Big Dream
Manu isn’t your typical hero from movies. She’s young, quiet, and loves her books as much as her pistol. Born in Jhajjar, she once tried boxing and martial arts, but something clicked when she picked up a gun. Now, she’s India’s shooting star. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, she won two bronze medals—one in the 10m air pistol and one with her teammate Sarabjot Singh in the mixed team event. People called her a champ, but Manu wasn’t done. She wanted more.
Back home, she trained harder than ever. On April 3, 2025, at the ISSF World Cup Final in New Delhi, she proved it. She shot her way to gold in the women’s 10m air pistol, hitting the target like it was as easy as tossing a ball. Now, she’s got her eyes on the 25m pistol event—a different game with a bigger challenge. If she wins, she’ll be the first Indian to bag three medals in this big shooting party.
What’s So Special About This?
Think of the ISSF World Cup Final like the Olympics’ little brother—a place where the world’s best shooters come to show off. It’s not easy. You’re up against people who’ve been shooting since they were kids, from countries with fancy ranges and big money. Manu? She’s doing it with grit, a steady hand, and a heart full of fire. Winning one medal is tough. Two is amazing. Three? That’s like hitting a bullseye blindfolded while riding a bicycle!
She’s already got the gold from the 10m air pistol, where you shoot a small gun at a target 10 meters away—about the length of two auto-rickshaws parked end to end. The 25m pistol is trickier. It’s faster, louder, and needs quick thinking. Manu’s ready, though. Her coach says she’s been practicing like a machine, and her smile says she’s enjoying every second.
Why Everyone’s Talking About Her
Walk down any street in India today, and you’ll hear Manu’s name. On X, people are posting “#ManuBhaker” with heart emojis and tricolor flags. They call her a “generational talent”—a fancy way of saying she’s one-of-a-kind. After the Olympics, some thought she’d take a break. Instead, she came back stronger, showing the world that setbacks—like missing out in Tokyo 2020—don’t stop her. They make her shoot better.
Her gold on April 3 wasn’t just a win; it was a loud “I’m back!” to everyone watching. Now, with the 25m pistol event coming up, fans are holding their breath. If she pulls it off, she’ll be in the history books—not just as a shooter, but as a girl who showed that dreams don’t care where you come from.
What’s Next for Manu?
The ISSF World Cup Final runs from April 6 to April 12, 2025, at the Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi. The 25m pistol event is her next big shot—literally. If she wins, she’ll have gold and maybe another medal to add to her collection. People who know shooting say she’s the favorite because she’s calm under pressure, like a monk with a gun.
For the common man, Manu’s story is simple: work hard, aim high, and don’t give up. She’s not chasing medals for herself—she’s doing it for every kid in India who dreams big but starts small. Whether she wins or not, she’s already a hero. But if she gets that third medal? Get ready for fireworks louder than Diwali.
So, keep an eye on Manu Bhaker this week. She’s not just shooting at targets—she’s shooting for the stars, and India’s cheering her all the way.
-By Manoj H
Also Read – Veteran Actor Manoj Kumar Passes Away at 87
