Indian pistol shooter Manu Bhaker has been making waves across media and social platforms following her remarkable achievement of winning two bronze medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The Haryana shooter recently graced the sets of Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) Season 16, the popular reality game show hosted by Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan. Accompanying her was fellow Olympian Aman Sehrawat, who also secured a bronze medal at the Games.
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While seated on the hot seat, Manu engaged in a conversation with KBC host Amitabh Bachchan. During their chat, Bachchan mentioned that he often wondered why shooters take such long pauses between shots, a question his son, Abhishek, had once clarified for him.
"I used to wonder why shooters waited so long after taking a shot. I couldn't grasp it until Abhishek Bachchan explained that they're controlling their breathing and heart rate; that's why they take their time."
Manu Bhaker further elaborated on how essential breathing techniques are for shooters.
"At the start, having a strong foundation is crucial, and that applies to everything. Many people think shooting is simple -- just pick up the pistol and aim, but it's much more complex than that. During a match, our heart rate accelerates, and we must remain composed, even if we're feeling anxious.
"Controlling that anxiousness or nervousness takes time and practice. To maintain focus, I rely heavily on yoga, Surya Namaskar, and meditation. I follow this routine with strict discipline. Additionally, I use a breathing technique with a 4:8 ratio: inhaling for four seconds and exhaling for eight seconds. Mastering this through practice helps normalise my heart rate. During matches, when nerves make our hands shake while aiming, this breathing exercise helps me stay calm and focused," she revealed.