Manu Bhaker makes history at Paris Olympics with double bronze medals; IOA honors India’s top athletes with record cash awards, and Bhaker sets her sights on future championships and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
New Delhi | October 15, 2025 | The Interview Times— India’s star shooter Manu Bhaker made history at the Paris 2024 Olympics by clinching two bronze medals, becoming the first Indian woman to win multiple medals at a single Games and the first athlete from independent India to achieve this feat in the same edition.
Manu Bhaker’s outstanding achievement was celebrated in a special felicitation ceremony organized by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Monday in New Delhi, attended by IOA President P.T. Usha and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.
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Double Bronze Triumph
At Paris, Manu Bhaker won the individual bronze in the highly competitive women’s 10m air pistol event, scoring 221.7 points in the final and etching her name as the first Indian woman to win an Olympic shooting medal. She added a second bronze alongside Sarabjot Singh in the 10m air pistol mixed team event, defeating South Korea 16-10 and marking India’s first-ever Olympic shooting team medal. Her consistency throughout the Games impressed the sports fraternity, though she narrowly missed a third medal in the women’s 25m pistol, finishing just outside the podium.
Record Cash Awards for Success
Manu Bhaker’s exceptional performance was rewarded with record cash prizes, totaling Rs 87.5 lakh—Rs 50 lakh for her individual 10m air pistol bronze and Rs 37.5 lakh for her share in the mixed team event.
The IOA honored all Indian Olympic medallists in the ceremony: Neeraj Chopra received Rs 75 lakh for his silver in javelin, while bronze medallists Swapnil Kusale and Aman Sehrawat were awarded Rs 50 lakh each. Members of the men’s hockey team received Rs 10 lakh per main squad player and Rs 5 lakh for reserves.
Acknowledgment and Motivation
Expressing gratitude, Manu Bhaker said, “When you work hard and people recognize that you have achieved something, it feels great. It also serves as a strong motivation,” reflecting the emotions of her historic feat.
The event underscored a new era of recognition and support for Indian Olympic athletes.
Eyes on Future Championships
Despite her Olympic glory, Bhaker remains focused on future challenges. “I have Asian Games, Olympics and World Championships in my mind. But I would like to take things one at a time,” she told reporters at the IOA event.
Her immediate attention is on the upcoming ISSF World Cup Final in Doha, where she has qualified for both 10m and 25m pistol events. Bhaker, fresh from her twin bronze at the 2025 Asian Shooting Championships in Kazakhstan, is determined to intensify her preparation for a shot at gold at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Manu Bhaker’s Place in Indian Sporting History
The Paris 2024 achievements cement Bhaker’s status as the most successful Indian woman shooter, joining the ranks of badminton great PV Sindhu as the only Indian women with two Olympic medals. Her journey inspires a new generation of Indian athletes, with her resolve and dedication setting benchmarks for sporting excellence.
Breakdown of India’s six Paris Olympics 2024 Medals by Sport
| Sport | Medal Type | Athlete(s) | Event |
| Athletics | Silver | Neeraj Chopra | Men’s Javelin Throw |
| Shooting | Bronze | Manu Bhaker | Women’s 10m Air Pistol |
| Shooting | Bronze | Manu Bhaker & Sarabjot Singh | Mixed 10m Air Pistol Team |
| Shooting | Bronze | Swapnil Kusale | Men’s 50m Rifle Three Positions |
| Field Hockey | Bronze | Men’s Team | Men’s Tournament |
| Wrestling | Bronze | Aman Sehrawat | Men’s Freestyle 57 kg |