India’s ace shooter Manu Bhaker who made history at the Paris Olympics has reportedly been left out of the Khel Ratna Award nominations. The 22-year-old athlete secured two bronze medals at the Paris Games, one in the women’s 10m air pistol event, becoming the first female shooter from India to win an Olympic medal, and another in the mixed 10m air pistol team event with teammate Sarabjot Singh. Her achievement made her the first Indian to win such a feat at an Olympics since the country’s independence.
Hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh, who led India to Olympic bronze, and Paralympic gold medallist Praveen Kumar have been nominated for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award, while Manu Bhaker’s name is absent from the list
Manu Bhaker’s social media post sparks controversy
Earlier this year, Bhaker had posted on social media, asking her followers if she deserved to receive the ‘Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.’ However, the post received negative feedback from fans, who criticised her for seeking validation. Despite this, her achievements in Paris remain remarkable, marking a significant comeback after a disappointing performance at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where a pistol malfunction prevented her from winning any medals.
Discrepancy in Khel Ratna nomination process
Reports suggest that Bhaker is not among the sportspersons nominated for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. Sports ministry officials claim that she did not apply for the prestigious honour. However, sources close to her family have countered this, stating that Bhaker did, in fact, submit her application.
Manu Bhaker’s record-breaking achievements
Bhaker’s performance in Paris was a stunning return to form after her disappointment at the Tokyo Olympics. In addition to her Olympic success, Bhaker has also claimed multiple gold medals, including at the 2022 Asian Games in the women’s 25m pistol team event and at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in the women’s 10m air pistol event. At just 16, she became the youngest Indian to win gold at the World Cup in 2018.
A key moment in Bhaker’s career was her reunion with coach Jaspal Rana, who helped her prepare for the 2024 Olympics. Bhaker has credited Rana’s meticulous training program as instrumental in her success, enabling her to create history in Paris.
