Manu Bhaker, the celebrated Indian shooter who made history at the Paris Olympics by becoming the first Indian to win two medals in the same Games, has shared a poignant throwback picture that captures her humble beginnings in the sport. The image, posted on social media, shows a young Manu practicing shooting with her schoolmates.
Fast forward to today, Manu stands as one of India’s most decorated Olympians, having etched her name in the annals of sporting history. Her journey to the pinnacle of success has been marked by unwavering determination and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
Reflecting on her journey, Manu spoke candidly about the setbacks she faced, particularly after her disappointing performance at the Tokyo Olympics. “It was very difficult for me to be confident again,” she admitted. “But I know the taste of losing and then winning. It’s the beauty of sports.”
Manu emphasized the importance of hard work and perseverance in achieving one’s goals. “To achieve the goal, we must put in a lot of hard work and effort,” she said. “It doesn’t always start with aiming for something big, you also have to work to achieve it. If you can dream big, you can achieve big.”
Beyond her sporting achievements, Manu also stressed the significance of embracing one’s cultural heritage. “I have travelled almost half of the world,” she said. “I have seen different kinds of people and cultures, their backgrounds and struggles. We should never be ashamed of where we come from.”
Manu’s journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes and anyone who dares to dream big. Her message of resilience, hard work, and cultural pride resonates with all who seek to achieve greatness in their chosen fields.
