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Double Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker, renowned for her sharpshooting prowess, has taken social media by storm showcasing a different skill. She created history at the Paris Olympics 2024 when she became the first Indian woman shooter to win an Olympic medal. She etched her name by securing two bronze medals—one in the women’s 10m air pistol event and another in the 10m air pistol mixed team event alongside Sarabjot Singh. As India celebrated its 79th Independence Day on 15 August 2025, Manu gave a heartfelt tribute to the nation.
Manu Bhaker’s tribute and wishes for the Independence Day were shared in the form of a video, in which she was seen playing a violin. The 23-year-old athlete was seen playing the tune of India’s national anthem. She shared the video on her Instagram and wrote, “An attempt to play the tune that is closest to my heart this Independence Day. Each time I represent India, I wish to stand on the podium and listen to this. Generally, we sit and play the violin, but this time subconsciously, we stood up while playing the National Anthem. It’s the admiration for our nation that cannot be put into words. Jai Hind!”
Reportedly the choice to play the national anthem was particularly symbolic, as Bhaker has often spoken about her desire to hear Jana Gana Mana played on the global stage as she stands on the podium.
Beyond Olympics, Manu Bhaker’s career is reportedly considered as a testament to her dominance
Manu Bhaker’s achievement at the Paris Olympics 2024, marked India’s first-ever Olympic shooting team medal and made Bhaker the first Indian athlete to win two medals at a single Olympic Games edition. She narrowly missed a historic treble, finishing fourth in the women’s 25m pistol event. She has amassed an impressive tally of 20 International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup medals, including 13 gold, three silver, and four bronze.
Her international accolades also include a gold medal in the 25m pistol team event at the 2023 Baku Shooting World Championships, a silver in the same event in 2022, and a gold in the 10m air pistol at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast. At the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, she clinched gold in the 25m pistol team event, alongside four golds, one silver, and two bronzes in Asian Championships. She has reportedly set her sights set on future competitions, including the 2026 Asian Games and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
