Manu Bhaker, India’s shooting star, has attributed her historic Bronze medal win at the Paris Olympics 2024 to the significant role of meditation in her training regimen. The 22-year-old shooter secured her place in Olympic history on July 28, clinching third place in the women’s 10m air pistol final at the Chateauroux Shooting Centre, becoming the first Indian female shooter to achieve this feat.
In a post-competition interview, Bhaker disclosed that regular sessions with her meditation guru have been instrumental in enhancing her composure and focus. Throughout the eight-woman final, Bhaker consistently maintained her position within the top three, reflecting her rigorous training and mental preparation.
“I have a meditation guru who guides me through meditation sessions, which also improve my sleep quality. Better sleep translates to better focus,” Bhaker explained. “He teaches me two shlokas from the Bhagavad Gita each day and elaborates on their meanings. This practice has connected me to a spiritual dimension and strengthened my belief that there is a higher power guiding my efforts and rewarding my hard work.”
Bhaker also reflected on a pivotal moment in her career from 2023, which she credits as a turning point. During a conversation with her coach, she was encouraged to dedicate herself fully to shooting rather than pursuing other interests such as studying political science or civil service abroad.
“My coach told me, ‘You are one of the best shooters in the country and the world.’ He advised me to fully commit to the sport and focus on realizing my dream,” Bhaker recounted.
Bhaker’s achievement marks a significant milestone for Indian shooting, ending a 12-year medal drought at the Olympics in this discipline. She joins the ranks of notable Indian shooters like Abhinav Bindra, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Vijay Kumar, and Gagan Narang as one of the few to win an Olympic medal in shooting.
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