Interview/ Manu Bhaker, double bronze medallist at Paris 2024 Olympics
In a largely lacklustre Olympic campaign in Paris, Manu Bhaker was one of the few bright spots for India. The 22-year-old shooter from Haryana’s Goria village made history by becoming the first Indian, after independence, to win two medals (both bronze) in a single edition of the Games. This was after she had become the de facto face of the shooting team’s failure at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago.
In an interview with THE WEEK, Bhaker talks about bouncing back from the debacle in Tokyo, as also how the Gita helped her, her love for bharatnatyam and her proficiency in Manipuri martial art Thang-Ta. Excerpts:
Q/ From heartbreak in Tokyo to creating history in Paris. How did you motivate yourself?
A/ After coming back from Tokyo, things were not easy at all. I was really disturbed. I decided I would take a break for nearly a month, but I just could not bring myself to do so. Within 20-odd days, I felt I could not be away from the sport. This is what I love to do and I will keep going with it. Eventually, things started to fall in place.
However, in 2022, I was part of the national shooting team and I was doing okay. But I was not enjoying the sport. It had become like a nine to five job; you go to the range and then the gym and then to sleep. I started to get bored. By 2023, I was [thinking of] trying a new career, maybe in studies or something else. Then finally, when I started to work with Jaspal [Rana] sir again, that was the aar ya par [do or die] time.
That is when I decided I am going to give everything I have for my sport. After that, I never had any doubt. Regardless of how my body was taking it and the mental pressure, I kept trying my best. There were several competitions where I could not win an individual medal. But, regardless, I was like, ‘I have to do it’, and it worked out really well for me.
Q/ Tell us about your equation with coach Rana.
A/ Initially, after the Tokyo phase, it was my parents, my mom especially and my brother, who actually lifted me up. Later on, in 2023 [it was Jaspal sir. He is the] kind of person who will always be positive. Not just positive in a soft way. He would be strong with his beliefs. He is not like, “If you try, you will be able to do it.” Rather, he would say, “You try and it will happen.” Because of this, my confidence improved. My technique also improved as he works a lot on the basics. I started to enjoy the sport again because I was travelling, I was doing different things, and I started to take on different hobbies.
Support system: (From left) Jaspal Rana, Manu, and her parents, Sumedha and Ram Kishan Bhaker | PTI
Q/ How do you handle so much success at such a young age?
A/ I think when we win something, it is better to put it aside and move forward. For me, it is just a stop that I have reached in my journey; the journey will be lifelong. Time passes, and it does not care if you are sad or happy, or if you are winning or losing.
Q/ Before shooting, you excelled in other sports, too. What made you such a sports buff?
A/ I have medals at the national level in the martial art of Thang-Ta. I have state-level medals in karate, boxing and wushu, too. Coming from a sports background, I started when I was in second or third class, with athletics. Everyone starts with athletics because it is only running. So, it was 100m, 200m, 400m, relays and cross country. I [have always] loved to be fit. I used to get into fights with people, especially boys. That is how I started to fall in love with boxing and karate. To beat somebody was the initial goal (chuckles). But later I started to enjoy it.
Competing in all those sports helped me in shooting because I was physically strong. My shoulders were muscular. And because of that I was able to pick up shooting quickly.
Q/ You also ride horses.
A/ Sometimes I want to get away from my sport or just go refresh myself. That is when I take up hobbies like horse riding or violin or dance. It distracts my mind in a positive way. [You can take up hobbies] to keep yourself focused and you can clean up your mind, too. I do not enjoy video games; I always go outside to try something new.
Q/ How long have you been practising bharatnatyam for and who is your guru? Is there any artiste you admire?
A/ I don’t know much about bharatnatyam legends. My guru is Indira Muruganeshan from Tamil Nadu. She is the one who actually introduced me to it and told me so many things I never knew. It is one of the most decorated dance forms that India has seen. If you see Shiv Tandav or any god or goddess’s performance, it is mostly bharatnatyam. I really enjoy it because it has that divine feminine energy. I really love it. I love Indian culture and its dance forms.
Q/ After your Olympic success, have you tasted your favourite gajar ka halwa (a carrot-based sweet dish) yet?
A/ I have had bajre (pearl millet) ki roti and chutney, which we all have in Haryanvi and Rajasthani households. Sometimes, mummy allows me to eat things such as aloo ka parantha every two months. But gajar ka halwa not yet. Maybe in the coming days as it is generally cooked in winter.
Q/ Your father once said that you might quit shooting after winning an Olympic medal. Now you have two. Will you prove him right?
A/ I will never try to prove anything to anybody, ever. As long as I am enjoying the sport, I will continue to do it no matter how it is going for me. I can even go on for 30 years. It will depend on how I feel towards the sport. I want to enjoy it. I really love my sport. So, for now, there is no question of leaving.
Q/ You have said that the Gita helps you a lot in overcoming difficult situations in life. When did you start reading it?
A/ During my childhood years, it was my mom [who introduced me to it]. She is a Sanskrit and Hindi lecturer, and she was strict with everything in my life. She is very organised. [She would say,] “Only if you complete your homework will I take you to the park or allow you to watch TV for 30 minutes.” She keeps me disciplined and grounded.
She used to recite the meaning of phrases from the Gita. Eventually, in my day-to-day routine, I started reading it only a year ago. My meditation teacher says, “I will tell you two shlokas today and you should take this meaning from it and use it in your life.” So, it is my mom, my yoga meditation teacher and my coach now, who also gives me examples from it.
Q/ You are a fan of Virat Kohli and Neeraj Chopra. What do you like about them?
A/ Both are highly decorated players. People love them and always look forward to their matches. That is the spirit that brings out the sporting culture in a nation. I really respect them for what they have been doing for so many years. They have been consistent no matter the injuries or any controversies. It is the spirit they have for their sport that I really admire. I think we all have a lot to learn from them.
Q/ Lastly, what do you have to say about the protests in the aftermath of the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor in a Kolkata hospital?
A/ The basic rights of any human being are equality and freedom. If women are not getting that, then I think half the population of this country is being exploited. I am not saying that everyone is being exploited, but even if 10 per cent women are, I think we are not succeeding.
The government is trying to take initiatives to protect women, but I think education is the only element that can actually bring a positive change.
This (rape-murder) doesn’t portray a good picture of India. Especially in a country where we have this culture of treating women as goddesses.