'I would love to give back to the sport, but my focus is on training right now,' says Manu Bhaker

Ace shooter and two-time Paris Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker won the Sportsperson of the Year award at the Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) in the female category recently. Manu’s double triumph in Paris is an inspiration for emerging players. In an exclusive interview with Fazal Khan, she shared her future plans. Excerpts:
After winning a medal at the Paris Olympics, are you planning to promote shooting among girls?
(Laughs) Yes, of course! I would love to give back to the sport, but right now, I am focusing on my training and career. However, if someone approaches me for help—whether it’s borrowing equipment or any other support—I do my best to assist them.
Do you see another Manu Bhaker emerging at the next Olympics?
We never know who will perform well until someone wins big. Many athletes are excelling at both national and international levels. I hope they continue to improve and bring laurels to India, not just nationally but on the global stage. It would be wonderful if an athlete competes alongside me, helping us secure more medals. My personal goal is to keep improving, but I also wish for other promising players to excel.
After your success at the Paris Olympics, what is your next goal?
Recently, after the matches, the Indian team selection process has begun. The training camp starts in mid-March, followed by the international season in April. I am closely observing how athletes worldwide are performing while evaluating my own game to identify areas for improvement. There are also major competitions coming up, including the World Championships later this year.
Your father was a chief engineer in the merchant navy, and your mother was a former school principal. Who first introduced you to shooting?
I am from Goria village in Jhajjar district. There is a small school in my village. When I was in 10th grade, I first learned about shooting because some of my classmates trained at a nearby shooting range. They took me along, and that’s where I got my first exposure to the sport. It was my childhood friend Anjali who introduced me to shooting. Later, my school coach noticed my potential and spoke to my parents. At the time, they wanted me to become a doctor, but my coach suggested they wait for a year to see how I performed. He believed I had talent, and if I didn’t achieve results in a year, they could reconsider their decision.
Your coach, Jaspal Rana, has been appointed as the high-performance coach for the 25m pistol category. Do you think he will train you for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics?
I hope so! It’s great that he is the team’s coach. He has been my coach, and he will always remain one for me. Even when he was coaching the junior team, he was there for us. So, for me, things will remain the same.
What can be done to improve facilities for shooting and provide better exposure to upcoming players?
Programmes like Khelo India and the TOPS scheme have contributed significantly to the growth of young athletes. These platforms are guiding us in the right direction, leading to better performances in the future. The government is also focusing on improving infrastructure, which will help nurture more talent.