Manu Bhaker, India's double bronze medallist at the Paris Olympics 2024, landed in Delhi on August 7 (Wednesday). The ace Indian shooter received a warm reception at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport with the airport staff, media and fans eager to catch a glimpse of the only Indian to win multiple medals in a single edition of an Olympic Games. Bhaker's parents were there to receive her daughter at the Delhi Airport while other relatives, childhood coach all waited to give her a grand welcome.
While Bhaker opened India's tally with a bronze in the Women's 10m Air Pistol event, she also added a bronze to the country's credit in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team event in which she partnered Sarabjot Singh. The 22-year-old was in line to win an unprecedented third medal at the French capital and even qualified for the Women's 25m air pistol final but narrowly missed out on a podium finish, securing a fourth place.
Manu Bhaker Named As India's Flag Bearer At Paris Olympics 2024 Closing Ceremony
Meanwhile, Manu Bhaker has been named as India's flag bearer at Paris Olympics 2024. While she has set her foot on Indian soil, she will return to France for the closing ceremony of the quadrennial event which is scheduled to be held on August 11.
So far India have bagged three bronze medals at Paris Olympics 2024 with all three of them coming in shooting. In addition, Vinesh Phogat has assured the country of a silver medal at Paris Olympics 2024 by becoming the first female wrestler from the country to reach an Olympic final. India have managed to win a medal in every edition of the Olympic Games since 2008 and the trend is set to continue.
However, India would be expecting a gold from Phogat in the Women's 50kg Freestyle wrestling especially after a flurry of fourth place finishes and near-misses that have hurt the Indian contingent's chances big time.