Olympic shooter Manu Bhaker has been named the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year 2024 after winning a global public vote.
At 22, she made history by becoming the first Indian woman to win two medals at a single Olympic Games.
Bhaker won India’s first-ever Olympic medal in shooting by securing a bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol event at the Paris Olympics. Just two days later, she won another bronze in the mixed 10m air pistol event with Sarabjot Singh.
Earlier in her career, Bhaker had also received the BBC Emerging Athlete of the Year award.
Who is Manu Bhaker?
Manu Bhaker is a talented Indian shooter who made history by winning two bronze medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics in the women’s 10m air pistol event. She has also won gold medals at the World Championships, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and Youth Olympic Games, making her one of India’s most successful shooters.
Early Life & Background
Manu Bhaker was born on February 18, 2002, in Jhajjar, Haryana. She grew up in a supportive family that encouraged her interest in sports. Her father, Ramkishan Bhaker, is a chief engineer in the Merchant Navy, while her mother, Sumedha Bhaker, is a school teacher with a master’s degree in Sanskrit. The family currently lives in Faridabad, Haryana.
From a young age, Manu was passionate about sports and tried various activities like skating, boxing, and martial arts before discovering her love for shooting. Her interest in the sport began when she visited a local shooting range with her father. She was drawn to the precision and discipline of shooting and decided to pursue it seriously.
With her parents’ full support, she began training under Jaspal Rana, a former shooter and recipient of the Arjuna Award. Her dedication and hard work quickly helped her rise through the ranks in Indian shooting.
Education
Manu Bhaker completed her schooling at Universal Higher Senior Secondary School in Goria village, Haryana.
She later moved to New Delhi to study at Lady Shri Ram College, where she graduated in 2021 with a major in Political Science. Currently, she is pursuing a master’s degree in Public Administration at DAV College, Chandigarh.
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Career & Achievements
Manu Bhaker has been one of India’s most successful shooters, winning multiple international medals in major sporting events:
- Paris 2024 Olympics – Bronze Medal (10m Air Pistol – Individual & Mixed Team)
- ISSF World Championships – Multiple Gold Medals
- Asian Games – Gold & Silver Medals
- Commonwealth Games – Gold Medal in 2018
- Youth Olympic Games – Gold Medal in 2018
Her achievements have made her a role model for aspiring young shooters in India.
Net Worth & Lifestyle
Before the Paris 2024 Olympics, Manu Bhaker’s net worth was around ₹60 lakh. However, after making India proud at the Olympics, her net worth has risen to approximately ₹12 crore.
Earnings & Sponsorships
- Manu’s income mainly comes from shooting competitions and brand endorsements.
- Her father initially invested ₹1.5 lakh to help her start her career.
- She has received support from various organizations, including:
- Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ) – A nonprofit organization that helps Indian athletes.
- Sports Authority of India (SAI) – Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), which provided her with ₹12,16,257 for her Olympic journey.
- Annual Calendar for Training and Competition (ACTC) – Contributed ₹1,50,67,390 to cover her training and competition expenses.
With her growing success, Manu Bhaker continues to inspire young athletes and remains one of India’s top shooting stars.