Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh Clinch Bronze, Doubling India’s Shooting Medals in Paris

Indian shooters Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh clinched a bronze medal in the 10m air pistol mixed team event on Tuesday, the fourth day of the 2024 Paris Olympics. Their victory came after a decisive 16-10 victory over South Korea. The pair had previously qualified for the bronze medal match on Monday, and their performance on Tuesday doubled India's medal count in shooting. This also made Bhaker the first athlete from independent India to secure two medals in a single Olympic edition.

The competition was structured as a race to 16 points. Initially, South Korean shooters led with a score of 20.5, while Bhaker and Singh scored 18.8, giving Korea the first two points. India equalized in the second series with Bhaker scoring 10.7 and Singh 10.5, making it 2-2. India then gained the lead with a combined score of 20.8, as South Korea lagged with 19.8. This lead grew to 6-2 after another series win by India. Despite a South Korean timeout and a brief comeback by Korea, India retained their advantage, leading 8-2. In the seventh series, Bhaker and Singh extended their lead to 10-4. Though Korea won a few more series, India stayed ahead. In the final series, India secured the bronze medal with a score of 19.6 to South Korea’s 18.5, winning the match 16-10.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated both shooters and said that “India is delighted” by their achievement. “Our shooters continue to make us proud! Congratulations to @realmanubhaker and Sarabjot Singh for winning the Bronze medal in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team event at the #Olympics. Both of them have shown great skills and teamwork. India is incredibly delighted. For Manu, this is her second consecutive Olympic medal, showcasing her consistent excellence and dedication. #Cheer4Bharat,” posted the Prime Minister on “X”.

The President of India lauded Manu Bhakar and Sarabjot Singh for their victory. “Congratulations to Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh for winning the bronze medal for India in the mixed team 10 metre air pistol event for shooting! Manu Bhaker has created history, becoming the first woman shooter from India to win two medals in the same Olympic games. She has made us immensely proud. I wish her and Sarabjot Singh many more laurels in the future,” said Draupadi Murmu.

Earlier in the competition, Bhaker scripted history by becoming the first Indian woman shooter to win an Olympic medal. Despite missing out on a podium finish in his individual event, Sarabjot Singh's performance in the team event complemented Bhaker's achievement, further solidifying her legacy. At just 22 years old, Bhaker is now the first athlete from independent India to win multiple medals at a single Olympics edition. She also has a chance to add to her medal tally and score a hat trick with the 25m air rifle event.​