Women’s Day in India celebrations have arrived early, and the reason is a 16-year-old girl, or shall we say Indian shooting sensation Manu Bhaker. The teenaged shooter has taken the country by storm bagging two Gold medals at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup in Guadalajara, Mexico. Manu, an 11th class school girl not only raked in individual glory but her splendid performances helped India take the top position in the Shooting World Cup. Manu Bhaker bagged her second gold in 10m Air Pistol mixed team partnering Om Prakash Mitharval. She had earlier won Women's 10m Air Pistol Gold on her international debut. The country is rallying behind India’s new shooting champion, from Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan to former cricketing great Virender Sehwag, Twitterverse is abuzz with congratulatory messages for Manu Bhaker.
With two Gold medals at the Shooting World Cup, the golden girl could be the youngest-ever to win senior World Cup gold medals for India though it remains unconfirmed at National Rifle Association of India (NRAI)’s end. However, what matters is she has put up a memorable performance on her senior World Cup debut and more importantly helping India consolidate the top position of ISSF World Cup Medal Tally. India with three gold and four bronze is leading the nations in Mexico. Manu Bhaker Wins Gold Medal at ISSF World Cup! Know Everything About 16-Year-Old Indian Shooting Champion.
It looks like Manu Bhaker’s penchant for breaking records will take her a long way. Last year at the 61st National Shooting Championship held in Thiruvananthapuram, she won a staggering 15 medals, including nine Gold medals. But the highlight of her impressive show was Manu Bhaker overshadowing the highly-experienced Heena Sidhu to go on to break Heena's long-standing national record.
And now after winning gold medals at the World Cup where she outclasses international shooters, Manu has proved her mettle. Without a doubt, Manu Bhaker’s shooting prowess has won thousands of fans with her applause-worthy performance. Here take a look at what Twitterati beaming up with joy and pride had to say about Manu Bhaker’s impressive show.
1. Virender Sehwag Hails Manu Bhaker
Congratulations Manu Bhaker on winning gold and helping India bag top prize in Air Pistol Mixed Doubles final. Proud of you ! pic.twitter.com/IRqe8C7DWq
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) March 6, 2018
2. Amitabh Bachchan Congratulates Young Shooting Champ
3. Well Said, Suniel Shetty for the Young Achiever
Inspiration is possibly the best pre-women’s day message as well as gift we can derive from Manu Bhaker’s story! Another sports marvel from #Haryana! More Power to our girls, More glory to our country! Proudly Indian! pic.twitter.com/QgIdxkwkMH
— Suniel Shetty (@SunielVShetty) March 6, 2018
4. Truly, Golden Moments of Joy for India
Sixteen-year-old Manu Bhaker won her second gold medal for India in the 10m air pistol mixed team event at the #ISSFWC.🏅
— Twitter Moments India (@MomentsIndia) March 6, 2018
5. Thank You, Manu Bhaker For Making Us So Proud
Manu Bhaker Wins Gold 🥇In Women's 10m Air Pistol In ISSF World Cup In Mexico's Guadalajara. Congrats! Thank You For Making India Proud. 💪🙏🇮🇳 #ISSFWC pic.twitter.com/X4cstynvf4
— 73buzz (@73buzz_news) March 6, 2018
6. Thank You, Haryana For Producing Champions Across Fields
हरियाणा की बेटी Manu Bhaker पर हम सबको गर्व है। ख़ूब खेलो, आगे बड़ों और देश का नाम रौशन करो 👏👏👍✌ pic.twitter.com/NUAkUD5Rz5
— Virender Rathore (@virenderrathor) March 6, 2018
7. BRAVO!! Hail the Golden Girl
म्हारी छोरी के छोरे से काम है! हरियाणा शक्ति, एक बार फिर "Manu Bhaker"
— Hari Dass Sharma (@Harry_824) March 6, 2018
8. Sensational Performance!! Job Well Done
16-year-old Manu Bhaker wins Gold medal in Women's 10 m Air Pistol in ISSF World Cup in Mexico's 🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/p65fc6MYCh
— Mayur Barad🏡🇮🇳 (@ImMayuBarad10) March 6, 2018
It would be hard to believe but Manu Bhaker who hails from Dadri district in Haryana took to shooting just a little over two years ago. The Indian teenager was into boxing, thang ta – Manipuri martial art and in her own words, she loved bashing up her opponents! Speaking to news agency PTI, Bhaker was quoted saying, “I was playing those sports because I love bashing my opponents. I really enjoy it.” But an eye-injury during a wrestling bout forced Manu Bhaker to quit and it was then she took up shooting. She trains at the Universal Senior Secondary School in Jhajjar for four to five hours on a daily basis. Keep up the good work, Manu Bhaker!
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 06, 2018 12:19 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).