A day after Haryana's teen shooting sensation Manu Bhaker, 16, won her second gold medal at the ISSF World Cup in Mexico, her father Ramkishen tells mid-day why his bitiya rani is one of a kind
India's Manu Bhaker and Om Prakash Mitharval with the air pistol mixed team gold medal they won at the ISSF World Cup in Guadalajara, Mexico on Monday
Haryana's teen shooting sensation Manu Bhaker, 16, is unique. She plays with soft toys but easily beats her father, Ramkishen, in arm wrestling. She watches cartoons like Chhota Bheem and Tom & Jerry, but does not like movies or any film hero. She loves chocolates, but has no particular food preference, and eats whatever her mother, Sumedha, makes at home. And most importantly, she has never been inspired by an Indian sportsperson or feat.
ADVERTISEMENT
Multi-talented athlete
"As a child, she grew up playing and winning medals in different sports like cricket, tennis, kabaddi and karate. So when she decided to switch to shooting [in 2016], I was surprised but never once doubted her ability," her father Ramkishen told mid-day over the phone from their village Goria, in Haryana's Jhajjar district. On Monday, Manu, achieved a unique feat too. A day after winning gold in the 10m air pistol event at the ISSF World Cup in Guadalajara, Mexico, she clinched her second consecutive gold — in the mixed team event, partnering Om Prakash Mitharval. The Indians won gold with a score of 476.1, 0.9 points ahead of German couple Sandra and Christian Reitz (475.2). And to think Manu only picked up a gun at 14.
Pistol shooter Manu Bhaker (left) with her father Ramkishen, mum Sumedha and brother Akhil at their home in Haryana
School coaches impressed
"Manu's school [Universal Senior Secondary] has had a shooting range for the last six years, but she suddenly decided to join shooting two years ago. Her school coaches told me that she was a natural at it and she proved them right by winning medals in almost all competitions thereafter," added Ramkishen.
Manu won over half a dozen gold medals at the 2017 Nationals and shattered junior national marks at the Khelo India Games thereafter which saw her break into the squad for next month's Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia. It's no wonder then that while leaving home for Mexico, she promised her father that she would return with a medal despite it being her debut at a senior World Cup.
A younger Manu Bhaker (fourth from left) during a shooting event at her Universal Senior Secondary school in Haryana
Village celebrates gold medal
"Our village is small, everyone knows everyone and all were pretty sure that Manu would win a medal in Mexico. They had a prompt celebration in the village on Saturday night to celebrate her first gold medal. Even Manu's school teachers and friends were confident that she would return with a medal, so who was I to doubt it," said Ramkishen, a marine engineer, who has had to cut his travel assignments to spend more time with his teen children, Manu and son, Akhil, 17, particularly Manu, who he accompanies for events.
Interestingly, Manu's mother, hails from the same village, Balali from where India's wrestling champions Geeta and Babita Phogat emerged. But Manu was never in awe of their achievements. "Our family and neigbours always discussed Babita and Geeta's feats whenever they did well, but Manu was never concerned. She has never needed any inspiration to succeed," said Ramkishen.
He is now hoping his bitiya rani (little princess) can go on to achieve her ultimate dream: "Manu has huge respect for the India flag and dreams of finishing on the topmost step of the podium at the 2020 Olympics. With a billion prayers and loads of practice, I have no doubt she will return from Tokyo with a gold too."
Catch up on all the latest sports news and updates here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
