Like double Olympic Games medalist Neeraj Chopra, Manu should aim at a consistent graph in major international events
Navneet Singh
Double Olympics bronze medallist Manu Bhaker should have a steady graph like ace javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra. Reason: A steady performance graph at the global level will enhance her reputation as a formidable shooter and strengthen her mindset to withstand the pressure she will face in every competition.
Chopra has brilliantly executed his plans to peak at major international events, since creating history with a gold medal in javelin at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Games held in Japan in 2021. He won back-to-back medals at the world championships including the title in Budapest, made podium finishes in Diamond League (2022-2024), and won his second gold at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games in China. He was the most consistent javelin thrower in the world leading up to the Paris Olympics, where he won silver, his second Olympic Games medal.
Chopra performance graph has enhanced his stature as one of the finest athletes India has so far.
Manu will be aspiring to have a similar arc like Chopra. Post her sensational show at the 2024 Paris Olympics, becoming the first Indian to win two medals in a single edition of the Games, all eyes will be on her. The pistol shooter clinched the individual bronze medal in 10m air pistol and won a second bronze in mixed team event with Sarabjot Singh.
The ongoing ISSF (International Shooting Sport Federation) World Cup in Buenos Aires, Argentina is Manu’s first international competition after a brief hiatus. A podium finish in the women’s 25m sports pistol eluded her which might put some kind of pressure on the talented shooter as she prepares for a challenging 2025 season featuring World Championships.
Manu qualified for the 25m sports pistol final but finished 6th while compatriot Esha Singh claimed silver.
Manu missed the top eight as she shot 574/600 to finish 11th in the women’s 10m air pistol event.
With personal coach Jaspal Rana by her side, Manu should be at ease. Rana, the former international shooter, has been drafted into the national coaching system, which is a big advantage for Manu.
In the previous years, Rana was training her as a personal coach. Not being part of the national team meant that he was often not travelling with Manu for competitions.
In a sport like precision shooting, point decimal matters. It breaks or makes the shooter in quality competitions. With the personal coach part of the team, it will give her time to chalk out her strategy for the future. Competing in selective events would certainly keep her fresh for big events and at the same time help her prepare her better for this year’s World Championship in Cairo from November 6-18.
Manu generally competes in the 10m air pistol and 25m sports pistol. Technically, both 10m and 25m demand different kinds of fitness and preparation. Triggering is one of the crucial and important aspects of training in both events. Of course, the distance of the target from the firing point is another major difference.
Should Manu focus on one event? Majority of her international medals have come in the 10m air pistol. At the Paris Olympics she finished fourth in the 25m sports pistol, narrowly missing out on a third Olympic medal.
At the 2022 and 2023 World Championships she won team bronze in 25m sports pistol. She also won 25m sports pistol team gold at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games. She is yet to win an individual world championship medal though. It will be interesting to watch her journey this year which will act as a pedestal for the 2026 Asian Games and 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
