In a dramatic shoot-off against Veronika Major, Manu Bhaker fell short by a narrow margin, securing the fourth position. The Indian shooter had shown immense resilience and determination, but fate was not on her side this time.
Manu Bhaker, the Indian shooting sensation who was on the cusp of history, narrowly missed out on a bronze medal in the women’s 25m pistol final at the Paris Olympics.
Tense Final in Women’s 25m Pistol Event
The final was a nerve-wracking affair, with the lead changing hands multiple times. Bhaker, known for her composure under pressure, displayed her skills with consistent shooting throughout the early stages. However, the intense competition and the pressure of the final round proved to be challenging.
Close Call: Manu Bhaker finishes 4th
In a dramatic shoot-off against Veronika Major, Manu Bhaker fell short by a narrow margin, securing the fourth position. The Indian shooter had shown immense resilience and determination, but fate was not on her side this time.
Despite the heartbreaking loss, Bhaker’s performance at the Paris Olympics will be remembered as a landmark achievement. Her two bronze medals in the 10m air pistol and mixed team events have already etched her name in Indian sporting history.
Manu Bhaker’s heartbreaking near-miss
The 25m Pistol Final: A Breakdown
The 25m pistol final is a high-pressure event, where competitors fire five shots in rapid succession. The scoring system is simple: a hit within the target zone earns one point, a miss earns none.
Manu Bhaker journey
- Slow Start: Bhaker began the final with a challenging first series, scoring only two points out of five. This placed her in sixth position.
- Resurgence: The Indian shooter bounced back in the second series, hitting four out of five shots, moving her up to fourth place.
- Maintaining Consistency: Bhaker continued her strong performance in the third series, scoring another four points.
- The Pressure Mounts: In the fourth series, crucial elimination rounds began. Bhaker scored three points, dropping her to joint sixth position.
- A Fightback: A perfect score of five in the fifth series propelled Bhaker to third place, showcasing her ability to perform under pressure.
- The Final Stretch: The Indian shooter managed another four points in the sixth series, maintaining her position in the top three.
- The Shoot-off: After tying with Veronika Major, Bhaker faced a shoot-off for a place in the medal positions. Unfortunately, she was unable to secure a medal, finishing in fourth place.
Near-Miss from Manu Bhaker
Manu Bhaker’s performance at the 25m pistol final was commendable, and her near-miss for a bronze medal is a testament to the incredibly high level of competition in the sport. The Indian shooter has made history by becoming the first Indian to win multiple medals at a single Olympic Games, and her contributions to Indian shooting are immeasurable.
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