Manu Bhaker Finishes Fourth In Women's 25m Pistol Final

The Paris Olympics 2024 has been a rollercoaster of emotions for Indian shooter Manu Bhaker. In a gripping final of the women’s 25m pistol event, Bhaker narrowly missed out on a medal, finishing fourth. Despite the heartbreak, her performance was nothing short of extraordinary, showcasing her resilience and skill under immense pressure. Bhaker’s journey through the final was marked by remarkable comebacks, intense competition, and moments of sheer brilliance.

Manu Bhaker’s Battle in the 25m Pistol Final

A Strong Start Amidst Intense Competition

The 25m pistol final began with Bhaker showing nerves, hitting just two out of five in her first series, placing her joint sixth. The competition was fierce, with France’s Camille Jedrzejewski, Iran’s Haniyeh Rostamiyan, and Vietnam’s Thu Vinh Trinh leading the pack. Bhaker, however, quickly regained her composure. In her second series, she hit four, propelling her back into contention and placing her fourth overall. South Korea’s Jiin Yang took the lead with a perfect score of eight.

Climbing the Ranks with Consistency

Bhaker continued to demonstrate her mettle in the third series, hitting another four, placing her joint second with four other shooters. The elite level of competition was evident as the shooters showcased their precision and skill. Yang retained the lead with a score of 13. The first elimination round saw USA’s Katelyn Morgan bow out with a score of 5, while Bhaker hit a three, dropping her to joint sixth and putting her in direct danger of elimination.

The Rise and Fall: A Journey of Resilience

A Sensational Comeback

Facing elimination, Bhaker delivered a sensational performance, hitting all five targets in the next series. This impressive round drove her up to third place with a score of 18, as Trinh was eliminated with 16. Yang and Hungarian legend Veronika Major held the top two spots with scores of 20 and 19, respectively. Bhaker’s climb continued as she hit another four in the next series, rising to second place with 22 points, just two behind Yang. Rostamiyan was eliminated, further intensifying the competition.

Narrow Margins and Intense Pressure

As the competition reached its climax, Bhaker hit two targets in the following round, briefly leveling at the top before missing a shot. She recovered with two more hits, maintaining second place and closing the gap to Yang to just one point. China’s Zhao Nan was eliminated, leaving four shooters in contention for the medals. The final round before the medal placements saw all four shooters miss their first shot but recover with subsequent hits. Bhaker and Major both ended the round with 28 points, leading to a nail-biting shootoff.

The Shootoff: A Test of Nerves

An Agonizing Finish

In the shootoff, Bhaker and Major both hit their first shot. Bhaker hit her second while Major missed, but the tide turned as Bhaker missed her next three shots, while Major hit all three. This dramatic turn of events saw Bhaker finish fourth, narrowly missing out on a medal. Major’s subsequent elimination in the next series secured her the bronze medal.

The Battle for Gold and Silver

The final battle for gold saw Jedrzejewski and Yang tied at 33 points. In the shootoff for gold, Yang demonstrated exceptional composure, hitting four targets to Jedrzejewski’s one, clinching the gold medal for South Korea. The French shooter took home the silver, concluding an intense and thrilling competition.

Manu Bhaker’s Reflections and Legacy

A Mix of Pride and Disappointment

After the match, Bhaker reflected on her performance, expressing a mix of pride and disappointment. “I got really nervous about it, but I was trying to remain calm and do my best,” Bhaker said. Despite the heartbreak of finishing fourth, she acknowledged the significance of her achievement, becoming only the third Indian to win two individual medals at a single Olympics. “If you put it that way, I’m happy I got the medals,” she remarked, although the sting of missing out on another medal was evident. “Right now, I’m not… well, fourth place is not a very good place.”

A Detailed Look at the 25m Pistol Final

The Scoring System and Competition Format

In the 25m pistol final, only hits scoring above 10.2 are counted, with a maximum of five hits per series. The competition begins with three series of five shots, followed by elimination rounds where the lowest-scoring shooter is eliminated after each series. Bhaker’s journey through these rounds highlighted the fine margins that separate elite shooters. Her consistency in the initial rounds and ability to deliver under pressure showcased her remarkable talent and determination.

Bhaker’s Journey Through the Rounds

Starting slow, Bhaker’s two hits in the first series placed her joint sixth. However, her strong comeback in the second series with four hits brought her back into contention. Maintaining her form in the third series, she hit another four, placing her joint second. Bhaker’s sensational five hits in the elimination round propelled her to third place, but subsequent rounds tested her nerves and resilience. Her final score of 28, tied with Major, led to the dramatic shootoff that ultimately decided her fate.

A Tale of Grit and Determination

Bhaker’s Tremendous Return

Despite the heartbreak of finishing fourth, Manu Bhaker’s journey at the Paris Olympics 2024 has been one of grit and determination. Her ability to remain calm under intense pressure and deliver strong performances against some of the world’s best shooters is commendable. Bhaker returns from Paris with a tremendous achievement, becoming the first Indian to win multiple medals at a single Olympic Games.

Looking Ahead

As Bhaker reflects on her performance and the lessons learned, she remains a beacon of hope and inspiration for aspiring athletes. Her journey underscores the importance of resilience and the spirit of never giving up, even in the face of daunting challenges. With her talent and determination, Bhaker’s future in shooting looks bright, and she will undoubtedly continue to make India proud on the global stage.

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