Manu Bhaker-Sarabjot Singh win bronze as India shoots second Olympic medal

Mangalore Today News Network

Paris, July 30, 2024: Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh secured India’s second medal at the Paris Olympics on Tuesday, earning a bronze in the 10m Air Pistol mixed team event at the Chateauroux Shooting Centre. This marks India’s second shooting medal of the ongoing Paris Games, following Manu’s bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol event. India led 4-2 after the third series and extended their lead to 8-2 after the fifth. Although South Korea narrowed the gap to 10-6 after the eighth series, the Indian duo maintained their composure to secure a comfortable victory.

This marks Sarabjot’s first Olympic medal. Manu, meanwhile, became the first Indian to win multiple medals at a single Olympic Games, having already opened India’s account at the 2024 Paris Olympics with a bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol event. Bhaker also became only the fourth Indian after Norman Pritchard (athletics), Sushil Kumar (wrestling) and PV Sindhu (badminton) to win multiple medals for India at a Summer Games. However, no Indian has won multiple medals at a single edition - until Bhaker at Paris 2024.

In the 10m Air Pistol mixed team qualification, Manu and Sarabjot finished third with 580 points and 20 perfect shots. The Indian duo defeated the Korean pair of Xue Li and Wonho Lee 16-8, who finished fourth with 579 points and 18 perfect shots, in the bronze medal match. The Turkish team of Sevval Ilayda Tarhan and Yusuf Dikec, who equaled the qualification Olympic record with 582 points, will face Zorana Arunovic and Damir Mikec of Serbia in the gold medal match. India’s Rhythm Sangwan and Arjun Singh Cheema failed to qualify for the medal match after finishing 10th with a score of 576.

HOW MANU-SARABJOT SHOT BRONZE?

India had a shaky start as Korea took the first round with a score of 20.5 to 18.8. However, the Indian duo bounced back in the second round, with Manu scoring 10.7 and Sarabjot 10.5, taking the round as Korea managed only 19.9. India won the third round as well, with both Manu and Sarabjot scoring 10.4 each while Korea scored 19.8. The Indian team extended their lead to 6-2, with Manu’s consistent shots above 10 and Sarabjot’s slight misstep with a 9.6. Manu’s steady performance, including a 10.5, ensured another round win as Korea scored 19.5.

Korea pulled one round back, but India quickly reached a 10-4 lead. Despite a rare misfire from Manu, Korea gained another point. The lead was then extended to 12-6, bringing India closer to the second medal. India needed just one more series win to secure the medal. However, Korea delayed their victory by reducing the lead to 14-8 and making the contest close by winning the next series by a margin of 0.2. In the end, India triumphed as Manu and Sarabjot scored 19.6, securing the medal.