- Early Life and Background
- Birth and Origin : Manu Bhaker was born on February 18, 2002, in Goria village, Jhajjar district, Haryana.
- Family : Her father, Ram Kishan Bhaker, is a chief engineer in the Merchant Navy, and her mother, Sumedha Bhaker, is an educator with a master’s degree in Sanskrit. The Bhaker family has a strong educational background and has supported Manu’s career from the start.
- Early Athletic Pursuits
- Diverse Sports : Bhaker excelled in multiple sports during her schooling, including tennis, skating, Manipuri martial-art thang-ta, and boxing.
- Focus on Shooting : At age 14, Bhaker shifted her focus to shooting, with an initial investment of ₹1,50,000 from her father. She began training with coach Anil Jakhar in 2016.

- Initial Success and Breakthrough
- 2017 Achievements : She won a silver medal at the 2017 Asian Junior Championships and nine gold medals at the National Games.
- 2018 Milestones : Bhaker made history by becoming the youngest Indian to win gold at the ISSF World Cup and setting a Commonwealth Games record in the women’s 10m air pistol event. She also won gold at the Youth Olympics, becoming the first Indian shooter and female athlete from India to achieve this.
- Rise in International Shooting
- World Cup Success : In 2018, Bhaker won gold in both the Women’s 10-meter air pistol and the mixed team event at the ISSF World Cup.
- Commonwealth Games Record : At the 2018 Commonwealth Games, she set a new record with 240.9 points in the women’s 10m air pistol event.
- Challenges and Resilience
- 2020 Tokyo Olympics : Bhaker faced equipment issues and missed finals in both 10m and 25m air pistol events. Despite this, she remained a strong contender in the mixed 10m air pistol team event.
- Recent Achievements
- 2022 Asian Games : She won gold in the women’s 25m pistol team event.
- 2024 Paris Olympics : Bhaker won two bronze medals – one in the women’s 10m air pistol and another in the mixed 10m air pistol team event, becoming the first Indian woman to win two Olympic medals in a single Games.
- Recognition and Awards
- Felicitation : Bhaker and her teammate Sarabjot Singh were honored by Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. She received a cash reward of ₹5 crore and was appointed as deputy director in the Haryana sports department.
- Public and Media Attention
- Rumors with Neeraj Chopra : A video of Bhaker interacting with javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra at an event sparked rumors of a personal relationship. However, both athletes have focused on their professional achievements and contributions to Indian sports.

- Looking Ahead
- Future Aspirations : Bhaker continues to train rigorously with coach Jaspal Rana, who has been instrumental in her success. Her achievements have set a high bar for future Indian shooters and reflect a strong sports culture in Haryana.
Manu Bhaker’s journey from a young athlete to an Olympic medalist is a testament to her dedication, talent, and the support of her family and coaches. Her success story inspires many and highlights the growing prominence of Indian athletes on the global stage.