NEW DELHI: Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh‘s remarkable achievement at the Paris Olympics has sparked a wave of celebration within the sports community. Their bronze medal in the 10m air pistol mixed team event has prompted athletes and fans alike to take to social media to share their elation and admiration for the young duo’s accomplishments.
Bhaker’s journey at the Paris Olympics has been nothing short of extraordinary.By clinching the bronze in the women’s individual 10m air pistol event, she had already etched her name in the annals of Indian sports history.
However, her partnership with Sarabjot Singh in the mixed team event has further solidified her status as a trailblazer. Bhaker and her partner Sarabjot Singh secured bronze in the 10m air pistol mixed team event.
She has become the first Indian athlete to achieve the remarkable feat of winning two medals at the same Olympic Games. This accomplishment not only highlights her exceptional skills and unwavering determination but also serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes across the nation. Earlier, Bhaker had won bronze in the women’s individual 10m air pistol event.
Legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar took to X and wrote, “You two have brought our medal no. 2! Congratulations, @realmanubhaker& @Sarabjotsingh30, for winning the in 10m air pistol mixed team event. The entire nation stands tall with pride! Special mention to @realmanubhaker for creating history by becoming the first Indian in independent India to win 2 medals at the same Olympics! #Paris2024 #OIympics.”

Legendary shooter Abhinav Bindra, who also became India’s first individual gold medalist at the Olympics back in 2008 Beijing Olympics, also wrote, “Manu & Sarabjot: You’ve done what no Indian shooting pair has done before. India’s first Olympic shooting team medal. Savour this moment, you’ve earned it! Proud #Olympics2024 #Paris2024 #Shooting #ManuBhaker #SarabjotSingh.”

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary, Jay Shah lauded both the players for their clinical display and for bringing “immense pride” to the nation.
“Second medal for India! @realmanubhakerand @Sarabjotsingh30~ you both were clinical today at the 10m air pistol mixed team bronze medal match! Your resilience throughout the event was incredible. Cherish this moment – it brings immense pride to our nation!”

Former Indian opener and current head coach Gautam Gambhir also lauded the pair for their superb performance.
“Superb performance @realmanubhaker and #SarabjotSingh! ‘s second medal!,” tweeted Gambhir.

India’s high jump national record holder and Asian Games, Commonwealth Games medalist Tejaswin Shankar was in awe of the calmness displayed by both the players in such a big match.
“I don’t understand shooting. The calmness on Manu and Sarabjot’s face is scary . I’d ve run around and tear up the whole venue celebrating my medal! True role models for all of us. #OlympicGames #shooting #ManuBhakar #Paris2024,” tweeted Tejaswin.

Veteran Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin also congratulated the duo for their phenomenal achievement.
“Congratulation to @realmanubhaker and @Sarabjotsingh30 on the phenomenal achievement. #OlympicGames,” tweeted Ashwin.

Former Indian middle-order batter VVS Laxman also lauded Manu-Sarabjot for making the nation “super proud”.
“Many congratulations to Manu Bhaker & Sarabjot Singh for their wonderful win in the Air Pistol Mixed team event to win India’s 2nd medal in Paris. Kudos to @realmanubhakerfor becoming the first Indian to win multiple medals in a single edition. You guys have made us super proud. #Paris2024Olympic.”

Manu and Sarabjot defeated South Korea’s Lee Wonho and Oh Ye Jin 16-10 in the bronze medal play-off match, increasing India’s medal tally to two at the Paris Olympics. Both Bhaker and Sarabjot displayed remarkable consistency, regularly hitting 10s throughout the series against the Koreans.
Manu becomes the first Indian athlete since independence to win two medals in a single edition of the Olympics. Previously, in the 1900 Olympics, Norman Pritchard won two silver medals representing India in the 200 m and 200 m hurdles.
This victory marks India’s first-ever shooting team medal in Olympic history.