This achievement comes after Bhaker had already secured a bronze medal in the women’s 10m air pistol event, marking a significant milestone in her shooting career.
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Bhaker, 22, had earlier faced disappointment due to a malfunction of her pistol during the Tokyo Olympics. She has now redeemed herself with stellar performances in Paris.
Reflecting on her journey since Tokyo, Bhaker remarked, “After Tokyo, I was very disappointed, and how the events turned out to be for me were not very good. It took me a long time to overcome that. However, I came back stronger. So what is now is what matters. Let’s just let the past remain in the past.”
Bhaker and Singh showcased a composed partnership to triumph in the 10m air pistol mixed team event, defeating the Korean duo of Lee Wonoho and Oh Yeh Jin with a score of 16-10. This victory brought India its second medal at Chateauroux’s shooting range.
In her previous event at the same venue, Bhaker secured a bronze medal in the women’s 10m air pistol, eliminating the bitter memories of her Olympic debut in Tokyo 2020.
Before Bhaker, British-Indian athlete Norman Pritchard had won two silver medals in the 200m sprint and 200m hurdles at the 1900 Olympics, a feat that occurred during the pre-Independence era.
Sarabjot Singh also experienced a form of redemption after narrowly missing the men’s 10m air pistol final, finishing ninth with a score of 577.
Expressing her pride and gratitude after the match, Bhaker said, “I’m feeling really proud, and there is a lot of gratitude, thanks for all the blessings.”
Elaborating on their strategy, she added, “Actually we can’t control what the rivals will do, we can do what is in our hand. Me and my partner thought, let’s just try our best and we will keep fighting till the end.”
Sarabjot Singh, hailing from a farming family in Ambala, admitted to feeling immense pressure. “I’m feeling good, the game was very tough and there was a lot of pressure. I am very happy,” said the 22-year-old.
This historic achievement underscores Bhaker’s resilience and marks a significant milestone for Indian sports, particularly women’s sports in the country. Both young shooters have set a new benchmark, inspiring many with their determination and excellence.