Manu Bhaker Words Gratitude
In the video, a young and determined Bhaker expresses her gratitude: “I set a new national record and won gold at the inaugural Khelo India School Games in 2018. I made it into the TOPS core group. I’ve longed to don the Indian shirt and represent my nation ever since. I can see that many of the athletes on my squad come from Khelo India, who guided us all. Some of them are juniors, but others are teammates with me. TOPS has been assisting me since 2018, which is a big stride. I sincerely appreciate their help in successfully resolving even minor problems of athletes. TOPS and Khelo India have played a significant role in my life. I have reached here today due to their support.”
Historic Victory for Manu Bhaker
Hailing from Haryana’s Jhajjar district, Bhaker secured the bronze with a score of 221.7, while Korea’s Kim Yeji earned the silver with a total of 241.3 and her compatriot Jin Ye Oh clinched the gold with a Games record of 243.2. Bhaker’s victory not only ended India’s 12-year drought for an Olympic shooting medal but also opened the nation’s medal account at the Paris event. The last shooting medals for India were won at the 2012 London Olympics, where rapid-fire pistol shooter Vijay Kumar and 10m air rifle marksman Gagan Narang, currently the chef de mission of the Paris contingent, secured silver and bronze, respectively.
A New Dawn for Indian Sports
Bhaker’s acknowledgment of the Khelo India and TOPS schemes underscores the critical role these initiatives play in nurturing young sporting talent in India. The Khelo India program, launched in 2018, aims to revive the sports culture in India at the grassroots level by building a robust framework for all sports and establishing India as a sporting powerhouse. Similarly, TOPS, initiated in 2014, is a flagship program of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports designed to identify and support potential medal prospects for the Olympic Games.
Inspiration for a Nation
Manu Bhaker’s remarkable achievement illustrates the profound impact of these schemes. Her journey from a promising young athlete to an Olympic medalist epitomizes how systematic support and proper training can lead to global excellence. Bhaker’s success story is a beacon of hope and inspiration for countless aspiring athletes across the country, highlighting the transformative power of initiatives like Khelo India and TOPS in realizing India’s sporting dreams.