'Already Seen Downfall, Taught Me Patience': Double Olympic Medallist Manu Bhaker

Double Olympic medallist pistol shooter Manu Bhaker has said that the struggles she had faced early on in her career has helped her develop patience and resilience. Bhaker, 22, created history at the Paris Games by becoming the first Indian in the post Independence era to win two medals in a single edition of the Olympics. The star shooter is least bothered about her critics and is simply focussed on her career. Bhaker, who took a break from shooting after the Paris Olympics, is now pursuing a Master's degree in Public Administration from Panjab University, Chandigarh.

"I am really happy that I have already seen the downfall phase, it has taught me a lot of patience. It doesn't really bother me, what people talk on the social media. Honestly, I don't need to cope up with that, why would I need to do that? "My business is my sport, I only need to focus on that," Bhaker told PTI videos in an exclusive interview on the sidelines of DAV United Sports Conclave here on Saturday.

"I want to thank people who have been there for me throughout my journey. They have made sure that I am always ready mentally and physically. "I am also thankful to people who are really appreciating me, thinking and talking about my journey, keen to ask me about that. People who are hating, I don't think I really care about them," she added.

She said the break is just a pause that allows her to reset her goals while still preparing for future competitions.

"We (Jaspal Rana and me) are in touch and it is not a complete break. So it is a break only from shooting and it is not a break where you can do whatever you want to do in life.

"We are in touch and we plan strategies that what we need to do in future and what things we want to focus for the future competitions, camps, what strategies we have to follow. During my exams, he made sure that nothing else is in my head. At that time he wanted me to completely focus on studies", she said.

Bhaker said she hasn't compromised on her fitness during the break.

"I have kept a proper check on my fitness regularly. During my exams I couldn't because I had requested for a special chance to appear in the exams. I had like two exams back to back and this phase was very hectic. But on and off I have been trying to follow my fitness drills," she said.

Bhaker, who was felicitated by the DAV United Foundation for her exemplary performance at the Paris Olympics, thanked the organisers for their support.

"DAV has been like a family to me especially Amrinder Mann sir , if it wasn't for him then I wouldn't have been a part of DAV family. He was very adamant that I should join DAV and I am glad that I did it because not only my friends from shooting but I met a lot of new people here," she concluded. 

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