“Delighted to meet Manu Bhaker, who scripted history at Paris Olympics”: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker, who won two bronze medals at the Paris Olympics, met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in the national capital on Thursday.

Sharing a photograph on X with Bhaker, Defence Minister Singh said that every Indian is “elated by her incredible performances.”

“Delighted to meet India’s ace shooter, Manu Bhaker, who scripted history at the Paris Olympics by winning two Bronze medals for the country. Every Indian is elated by her incredible performances. Best wishes for her future endeavours,” Singh said.

Earlier in the day, the 22-year-old shooter from Haryana also met former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and his son and Congress MP Deepender Hooda.

Congratulating Manu Bhaker for her extraordinary performance in the Olympics, MP Deepender Hooda, said, “We congratulate our sister Manu Bhaker who has done the work of increasing the pride of the country.”

“The first player of independent India who has won two medals in the same Olympics, this is no less than a matter of pride for us.” Congress MP further added.

Earlier on Wednesday, Manu Bhaker met Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi.

“Today Manu Bhaker, who brought glory to the country by winning two bronze medals at the Paris Olympics, met CPP Chairperson Smt. Sonia Gandhi,” the Congress party said in a post on X.

Bhaker opened India’s medal tally in the ongoing Olympics after she secured third place in the women’s individual 10m Air pistol event, becoming the first-ever woman shooter to win an Olympic medal for India. Following that, Sarabjot Singh and Bhaker won the bronze medal in the 10m air pistol (mixed team) event, which was India’s first-ever shooting team medal.

She had a shot at returning with three medals from Paris. But in her final event, she narrowly missed out on the historic grand treble and finished fourth in the women’s 25m pistol shooting event.