Manu Bhaker: Biography, Coaches, Medals & Shooting Career

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INDIAN OLYMPIC SHOOTER • TWO BRONZE MEDALS

Manu Bhaker

Biography, Shooting Career, Coaches & Olympic Medals

From Haryana’s shooting ranges to two bronze medals at Paris 2024, explore Manu Bhaker’s milestones, early coaching history and documented association with Guru Dronacharya Shooting Academy.

Manu Bhaker holding two Olympic bronze medals in August 2024

2

Olympic bronze medals

2024

Historic Paris Games

2016

Beginning of her shooting journey

2026

Competition results updated

MEET THE OLYMPIAN

Manu Bhaker is one of India’s most accomplished pistol shooters and a two-time Olympic bronze medalist. At the Paris 2024 Olympics, she became the first Indian woman to win an Olympic shooting medal and went on to secure a second bronze alongside Sarabjot Singh in the 10m air pistol mixed team event.

Born in Haryana, Manu started her competitive shooting journey as a teenager and quickly developed into an international champion. Her progress included training at different stages of her career, including a documented early association with Guru Dronacharya Shooting Academy (GDSA) in Bhiwani.

This profile explores Manu Bhaker’s biography, early shooting experiences, connection with Coach Suresh Singh and GDSA, other influential coaches, Olympic medals, competition records, and achievements through October 2026.

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Manu Bhaker

AT A GLANCE

Who Is Manu Bhaker?

Manu Bhaker is an Indian professional pistol shooter from Haryana who has won two Olympic bronze medals, a Commonwealth Games gold, a Youth Olympic gold, and several international shooting titles. She competes primarily in the women’s 10m air pistol and 25m pistol disciplines.

Her performances at the Paris 2024 Olympics established her as a prominent figure in Indian sporting history. She won bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol event on 28 July 2024 and another bronze with Sarabjot Singh in the 10m air pistol mixed team event on 30 July.

Those victories represented a major milestone for Indian shooting. They also highlighted a career that had already included success at national championships, ISSF World Cups, the Commonwealth Games, Youth Olympic Games, and Asian Games.

Manu Bhaker at a Glance

DetailInformation
Full nameManu Bhaker
Date of birth18 February 2002
Age24 years (as of October 2026)
BirthplaceJhajjar, Haryana, India
HometownGoria village, Jhajjar district, Haryana
NationalityIndian
SportShooting
Main disciplinesWomen’s 10m air pistol and 25m pistol
Olympic appearancesTokyo 2020 and Paris 2024
Olympic medals2 bronze medals
Major national honourMajor Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2024
Early training associationGuru Dronacharya Shooting Academy, Bhiwani
Paris 2024 coachJaspal Rana

Manu’s story is significant beyond her medals. It demonstrates how an athlete can progress from local shooting facilities to high-pressure international competition, encounter setbacks, and return to the Olympic podium.

Her career also shows why different types of coaching matter at different stages of athletic development. Introducing a young athlete to shooting, building competitive foundations, and preparing an established shooter for the Olympics are related but distinct responsibilities.

EARLY YEARS

Manu Bhaker’s Early Life and Introduction to Shooting

Childhood, Family and Sports Background

Manu Bhaker was born on 18 February 2002 in Jhajjar, Haryana. She grew up with strong exposure to sports and attended Universal Senior Secondary School in Goria village.

Her parents, Ramkishan Bhaker and Sumedha Bhaker, supported her sporting interests. Her father worked as a merchant navy engineer, while her mother was involved in education.

Before concentrating on shooting, Manu explored several sports, including boxing, skating, tennis, and thang-ta, a traditional martial art associated with Manipur. Her interest in multiple disciplines helped establish a broad athletic background before she specialised in pistol shooting.

Unlike children who focus on one competitive sport from an early age, Manu tried different activities and discovered shooting during her teenage years.

Her early success demonstrated that a relatively late start in a sport does not necessarily prevent an exceptionally talented and committed athlete from reaching international competition.

How Did Manu Bhaker Start Shooting?

Manu Bhaker began her competitive shooting journey in 2016, around the age of 14. Her school shooting range gave her an opportunity to explore the sport, and school instructor Anil Jakhar played an important part in recognising and encouraging her talent.

A contemporary report published by The New Indian Express in December 2017 recorded 24 April 2016 as the date she first picked up a pistol. Later biographical reporting also describes her introduction through her school’s shooting facilities.

Her progression was unusually rapid. By 2017, she was already competing successfully at the national level.

At the National Shooting Championships that year, she defeated established Olympic shooter Heena Sidhu in the women’s 10m air pistol competition, recording a final score of 242.3.

That performance brought national attention to a young shooter whose competitive career was still at an early stage.

Sources: Early competition reporting — The New Indian Express and Manu Bhaker’s early-life feature — The Week.

OUR ACADEMY CONNECTION

Manu Bhaker’s Early Training at Guru Dronacharya Shooting Academy

Manu Bhaker with Coach Suresh Singh

Manu Bhaker trained at Guru Dronacharya Shooting Academy in Bhiwani during the early years of her career. Independent reporting places her at the academy in 2016, while academy coach Suresh Singh stated in a 2025 interview that she spent two years training there.

A Documented Connection With GDSA

An April 2025 report in The New Indian Express mentions that Manu trained at Guru Dronacharya Shooting Academy in 2016. In a February 2025 interview with The Indian Express, Suresh Singh said that Manu Bhaker had trained at his academy for two years during her early days. These reports establish the academy’s place in her wider development, while the exact start and end dates should be checked against historical academy records.

The academy’s account identifies Mr. Suresh Singh as a former Army professional and coach whose work supported developing shooters. GDSA describes Manu’s time at the academy as part of its early pistol-training history, before her later achievements at international and Olympic level.

Suresh Singh and Her Early Shooting Development

According to the academy, Suresh Singh provided coaching and guidance during Manu’s early association with GDSA. The independent press confirms her attendance at his academy, but detailed statements about particular one-to-one training sessions, technical changes, or competition preparation should be supported by direct records and attributed coach testimony.

In the published 2025 interview, Suresh Singh also discussed how the academy moved from paper targets to electronic scoring. This offers a useful perspective on the training facilities available to athletes during different periods. It should not be used to infer details about Manu’s personal practice sessions without evidence.

What Young Shooters Learn in Early Training

Beginning pistol shooters first need structured instruction in range safety, competition rules, consistency and the management of distractions. A qualified coach helps athletes understand their performance, practise responsibly, and build routines suited to their stage of development. Progress is measured across repeated sessions, not merely by one high score.

As athletes improve, training may include match preparation, performance reviews, structured practice and guidance for adapting to competition conditions. These are general principles of shooting development, not a reconstruction of Manu Bhaker’s private training routine.

Manu Bhaker Training Academy: Guru Dronacharya Shooting Academy

From Local Training to International Competition

Manu’s rapid rise shows how several coaching environments can contribute over time. A school instructor may introduce an athlete to the sport, an academy can provide further practice and competition support, and national-level coaches can later focus on elite preparation. No single organisation should claim sole credit for a long career involving many people.

COACH & EARLY ACADEMY HISTORY

Suresh Singh

Guru Dronacharya Shooting Academy identifies Suresh Singh as its founder and a former Army professional. His published account describes Manu’s early association with the academy, while the full details of his personal coaching role should be documented in the academy’s historical record.

Learn more about GDSA’s coaching history

Independent references: The Indian Express, February 2025 and The New Indian Express, April 2025.

COACHING HISTORY

Who Were Manu Bhaker’s Shooting Coaches?

Manu Bhaker has received guidance from different coaches throughout her career. Published reporting identifies Anil Jakhar as an early school shooting instructor, documents her training association with Suresh Singh’s Guru Dronacharya Shooting Academy, and identifies Jaspal Rana as her coach during the Paris 2024 Olympic campaign.

Anil Jakhar — Early School Shooting Instructor

Anil Jakhar played an important role during Manu’s introduction to shooting at Universal Senior Secondary School.

Reporting by The Week, based on interviews with Jakhar and Manu’s family, describes how he recognised her ability and encouraged her development.

For questions about who first introduced Manu to shooting, Jakhar’s documented school-level role should be acknowledged.

Suresh Singh — Guru Dronacharya Shooting Academy

Suresh Singh is associated with Manu’s early academy training in Bhiwani.

His published statement that Manu spent two years at his academy, together with independent reporting identifying the 2016 connection, supports the historical association.

GDSA additionally identifies him as one of the people who guided her during that period.

Jaspal Rana — Paris 2024 Olympic Coach

Jaspal Rana was a distinguished former Indian pistol shooter who became an influential coach and mentor.

He worked with Manu during important periods of her international career, including the preparations that led to her successful Paris 2024 campaign.

Their relationship experienced difficulties after the Tokyo Olympics, but they later reunited professionally. Their renewed partnership became a widely reported element of Manu’s Olympic comeback.

Rana died on 12 June 2026 at the age of 49. His contribution to her Paris success remains an important part of Indian shooting history.

Manu Bhaker Coaching Timeline

CoachDocumented connectionStage
Anil JakharSchool shooting instructorIntroduction to shooting
Suresh Singh / GDSAEarly academy training associationEarly development
Jaspal RanaInternational and Paris 2024 Olympic coachingElite preparation

This table is a summary of documented relationships, not a complete or exhaustive list of every instructor who has worked with Manu Bhaker.

CAREER MILESTONES

Manu Bhaker Shooting Career Timeline: 2016–2026

Her progress from a teenage beginner to a two-time Olympic medalist included early victories, major international gold medals, a challenging Olympic debut, and a historic comeback.

2016–17

Early shooting & national breakthrough

Manu began shooting in 2016, trained at the Guru Dronacharya Shooting Academy for Around 2 Years, and defeated Heena Sidhu at the 2017 National Shooting Championships.

2018

International breakthrough

Gold medals at the Guadalajara ISSF World Cup, Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, and Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires established her on the world stage.

2021

Tokyo Olympic debut

She reached the Olympics but finished without a medal after a challenging campaign that included technical difficulty in the 10m air pistol event.

2022–23

World and continental team success

Manu continued at international level and contributed to Indian women’s 25m pistol team medals at world and Asian competitions.

2024

Two Olympic bronzes in Paris

Bronze in women’s 10m air pistol, followed by mixed team bronze with Sarabjot Singh; fourth in women’s 25m pistol.

2025–26

Recognition and continued competition

Khel Ratna recognition for 2024, further continental and World Cup medals in 2026, and an Asian Games campaign in Japan.

For complete event histories and up-to-date official scores, consult the ISSF athlete database.

Manu Bhaker Career Highlights

YearCompetition or milestoneResult
2016Introduction to competitive shootingEarly shooting journey begins
2017National Shooting ChampionshipsMajor national breakthrough
2018ISSF World Cup, GuadalajaraWomen’s 10m air pistol gold
2018Commonwealth GamesWomen’s 10m air pistol gold
2018Youth Olympic GamesGirls’ 10m air pistol gold
2021Tokyo OlympicsOlympic debut; no medals
2022ISSF World ChampionshipsWomen’s 25m pistol team silver
2023ISSF World ChampionshipsWomen’s 25m pistol team gold
2023Asian GamesWomen’s 25m pistol team gold
2024Paris OlympicsTwo bronze medals
2025National Sports AwardsKhel Ratna for 2024
2026Asian Rifle/Pistol ChampionshipIndividual silver and team gold
2026ISSF World Cup, HangzhouWomen’s 25m pistol bronze
2026Asian Games, Aichi-NagoyaFifth in 10m final; 11th in 25m qualification

For comprehensive official international results, consult Manu Bhaker’s ISSF athlete profile.

THE OLYMPIC JOURNEY

Manu Bhaker’s Olympic Journey: From Tokyo to Two Paris Medals

Tokyo 2020: An Olympic Debut Without a Medal

Manu Bhaker entered the Tokyo Olympics as an established young international competitor.

The Games, postponed from 2020 to 2021, were her first senior Olympic appearance.

She competed in three events:

  • Women’s 10m air pistol — 12th place.
  • 10m air pistol mixed team, with Saurabh Chaudhary — seventh place.
  • Women’s 25m pistol — 15th place.

A pistol-related technical issue disrupted her 10m air pistol qualification campaign. Her overall results fell short of the expectations created by her previous international successes.

The experience placed her under public scrutiny.

Rather than treating Tokyo as the end of her prospects, Manu continued working toward higher-level competition. Her later reunion with Jaspal Rana became an important part of her preparation for Paris.

Paris 2024: Women’s 10m Air Pistol Bronze

On 28 July 2024, Manu won bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol final at the Paris Olympics.

She qualified for the final with 580 points and recorded a final score of 221.7.

The result made her the first Indian woman shooter to win an Olympic medal and ended India’s 12-year wait for a shooting medal at the Games.

It was also India’s first medal of the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Her achievement carried particular significance because it came after her disappointing Tokyo campaign.

Winning an Olympic medal requires an athlete to perform not only during qualification but also through the elimination stages of the final. At Paris, Manu remained competitive against some of the world’s leading shooters.

Paris 2024: Mixed Team Bronze With Sarabjot Singh

Two days later, on 30 July 2024, Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh won bronze in the 10m air pistol mixed team event.

The Indian pair defeated the Republic of Korea by 16–10 in the bronze medal match.

This was Manu’s second medal at the same Olympic Games, a historic achievement for an Indian athlete in the post-independence era.

The result also demonstrated her ability to perform in more than one Olympic event.

Mixed team shooting requires two athletes to contribute to a combined result. Although each competitor shoots independently, consistency from both partners determines the team’s standing.

Paris 2024: Fourth Place in Women’s 25m Pistol

Manu also reached the women’s 25m pistol final at Paris 2024.

She qualified with a score of 590 and eventually finished fourth in the final, recording 28 hits.

She came close to earning a third Olympic medal but narrowly missed the podium.

Despite the disappointment, finishing fourth in a third Olympic event added further weight to her Paris campaign.

Manu Bhaker’s Paris 2024 Olympic Results

EventResultKey score
Women’s 10m air pistolBronze221.7 final
10m air pistol mixed teamBronze16–10 bronze medal match
Women’s 25m pistolFourth28 hits in final

Official sources: ISSF athlete results, Government of India — first bronze, and Government of India — mixed team bronze.

MEDALS & RECOGNITION

Manu Bhaker’s Major Medals, Records and Awards

Major International Shooting Medals

Manu Bhaker has won medals across several types of competitions, including ISSF World Cups, Youth Olympic Games, the Commonwealth Games, world championships, continental championships, and the Olympic Games.

Her best-known achievements include:

CompetitionYearAchievement
ISSF World Cup, Guadalajara2018Gold, women’s 10m air pistol
Commonwealth Games, Gold Coast2018Gold, women’s 10m air pistol
Youth Olympic Games, Buenos Aires2018Gold, girls’ 10m air pistol
ISSF World Championships, Cairo2022Silver, women’s 25m pistol team
ISSF World Championships, Baku2023Gold, women’s 25m pistol team
Asian Games, Hangzhou2023Gold, women’s 25m pistol team
Paris Olympic Games2024Bronze, women’s 10m air pistol
Paris Olympic Games2024Bronze, 10m air pistol mixed team
Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship, New Delhi2026Silver, women’s 25m pistol
Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship, New Delhi2026Gold, women’s 25m pistol team
ISSF World Cup, Hangzhou2026Bronze, women’s 25m pistol

This is a selection of notable achievements rather than a complete count of all medals won during her career.

Historic Records and Firsts

Manu became the first Indian woman to win an Olympic shooting medal when she took bronze in Paris in July 2024.

She also became the first athlete representing independent India to win two medals at a single Olympic Games.

Before those achievements, her 2018 Youth Olympic title and Commonwealth Games gold had already established her among the leading teenage shooters of her generation.

Her journey spans individual and team disciplines, demonstrating competitive versatility within pistol shooting.

Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award

In January 2025, Manu Bhaker received the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award for 2024, India’s highest national sporting honour.

The award recognised her exceptional achievements, including her historic performance at the Paris Olympics.

She was among four recipients announced for the 2024 award, alongside D Gukesh, Harmanpreet Singh, and Praveen Kumar.

Official National Sports Awards announcement.

2026 COMPETITION RESULTS

Manu Bhaker’s 2026 Shooting Results

Through October 2026, Manu’s season included major continental and World Cup medals as well as a medal-less Asian Games campaign. These competitions must not be confused with her Olympic medal count.

Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship 2026: Silver and Team Gold

In February 2026 at New Delhi, Manu won silver in the women’s 25m pistol individual event. She and Vietnam’s Thuy Trang Nguyen finished on 35 hits before a shoot-off decided gold. Manu also contributed to India’s team gold with Esha Singh and Rhythm Sangwan; the team’s combined score was 1,751.

ISSF World Cup Hangzhou 2026: Bronze

At the July ISSF World Cup in Hangzhou, China, Manu scored 586 in women’s 25m pistol qualification and finished with bronze after recording 28 hits in the final. The podium result extended her World Cup record in the discipline.

Asian Games Aichi–Nagoya 2026

At the September Asian Games in Japan, Manu finished fifth in the women’s 10m air pistol final with 181.1 points. She scored 579 in the women’s 25m pistol qualification and finished 11th, while India’s women’s 25m pistol team placed fifth. She did not win a medal at these Games.

2026 eventResult
Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship — individual 25m pistolSilver
Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship — women’s 25m pistol teamGold
ISSF World Cup Hangzhou — women’s 25m pistolBronze
Asian Games — women’s 10m air pistolFifth
Asian Games — women’s 25m pistol qualification11th
Asian Games — women’s 25m pistol teamFifth

Results current through 31 October 2026. See the ISSF athlete profile for official updates.

10M & 25M PISTOL

What Shooting Events Does Manu Bhaker Compete In?

Manu Bhaker is primarily known for competing in 10m air pistol and 25m pistol events. These are separate international shooting disciplines with different competition formats and equipment requirements.

Women’s 10m Air Pistol

The 10m air pistol event uses an air pistol and a target positioned 10 metres from the athlete.

It is a precision-focused event in which competitors must maintain consistency throughout qualification and final stages.

Athletes require a reliable routine, concentration, physical control, and an understanding of the relevant international competition rules.

Manu won Olympic bronze in this event at Paris 2024.

Women’s 25m Pistol

The women’s 25m pistol event takes place at a distance of 25 metres and involves precision and rapid-fire stages.

Its competition structure differs from 10m air pistol, with timing and target-presentation requirements forming part of the challenge.

Manu finished fourth in this discipline at the Paris Olympics and won a World Cup bronze in Hangzhou in 2026.

10m Air Pistol Mixed Team

In mixed team air pistol shooting, one male and one female competitor represent the same national team.

The athletes’ performances are combined to determine qualification and progression to medal competition.

Manu and Sarabjot Singh won the Paris 2024 Olympic bronze in this discipline.

10m vs 25m Pistol Shooting

Feature10m air pistol25m pistol
Target distance10 metres25 metres
Equipment categoryAir pistolSport pistol
Competition structurePrecision qualification and finalsPrecision and rapid-fire stages
Manu’s Olympic resultBronze in 2024Fourth in 2024
Skill emphasisConsistency and controlConsistency, timing and adaptation

Both events demand specialised coaching, knowledge of safety rules, and extensive supervised practice.

LESSONS FOR ASPIRING SHOOTERS

What Young Shooters Can Learn From Manu Bhaker

Build strong fundamentals

Early progress depends on range safety, consistency, competition knowledge, constructive feedback and repeated practice—not one exceptional score.

Respect the coaching journey

School instructors, academy coaches and elite national-level coaches may each contribute at different times. A good history credits their distinct roles.

Develop competition resilience

Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 show how competition outcomes can change. Athletes need realistic goals, patient preparation and support when facing setbacks.

Value disciplined progression

Moving from beginner training to international shooting takes time, qualified supervision, appropriate facilities, competition experience and sustained commitment.

A talented shooter’s success cannot be replicated through a fixed formula. Aspiring athletes should instead focus on learning safely and steadily with suitable coaching. Guru Dronacharya Shooting Academy welcomes enquiries from people interested in beginning or continuing structured shooting training.

BEGIN YOUR JOURNEY

Every champion starts somewhere.

Explore supervised shooting programmes, available academy locations and the registration process at Guru Dronacharya Shooting Academy. Training does not guarantee sporting selection or medals.

Enquire About Shooting Training

Explore the academy’s current facilities, coaching team, programme information, and registration process.

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Learn About Guru Dronacharya Shooting Academy

Explore Suruchi Singh’s Shooting Journey

The academy’s association with successful athletes is part of its training history. Admission or coaching does not guarantee selection for national teams or Olympic competitions.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions About Manu Bhaker

1. Who was Manu Bhaker’s first shooting coach?

Anil Jakhar is widely identified in biographical reporting as the instructor who recognised and encouraged Manu Bhaker’s shooting talent at her school. She subsequently trained in other environments, including Guru Dronacharya Shooting Academy, and later worked with Jaspal Rana during her international and Olympic career. These roles belong to different stages of her development.

2. Did Manu Bhaker train at Guru Dronacharya Shooting Academy?

Yes. Independent reporting confirms that Manu Bhaker trained at Guru Dronacharya Shooting Academy in 2016. In a February 2025 interview, Suresh Singh stated that she trained at his academy for two years during her early career. The exact historical training period should be supported with original academy documentation.

3. What role did Suresh Singh play in Manu Bhaker’s shooting journey?

Suresh Singh runs Guru Dronacharya Shooting Academy, where Manu Bhaker received early training. The academy identifies him as an early coach and mentor. Published reporting supports her association with the academy; detailed claims concerning direct coaching sessions, methods, and duration should be documented through firsthand records.

4. Who coached Manu Bhaker during the Paris 2024 Olympics?

Jaspal Rana coached Manu Bhaker during her Paris 2024 Olympic campaign. She won two bronze medals during the Games. Rana, a former Indian shooting champion and influential coach, died on 12 June 2026. He should therefore be described as her Paris 2024 coach, not as her current coach.

5. How many Olympic medals has Manu Bhaker won?

Manu Bhaker has won two Olympic medals, both bronze, as of October 2026. She won the women’s 10m air pistol bronze on 28 July 2024 and another bronze with Sarabjot Singh in the 10m air pistol mixed team event on 30 July 2024. Both medals were earned at the Paris Olympics.

6. Which shooting events does Manu Bhaker compete in?

Manu Bhaker primarily competes in women’s 10m air pistol and women’s 25m pistol. She has also represented India in 10m air pistol mixed team events. Her Olympic medals came in individual women’s 10m air pistol and mixed team 10m air pistol, while her Paris 2024 25m pistol result was fourth place.

7. What were Manu Bhaker’s major achievements in 2026?

In February 2026, Manu Bhaker won individual silver and team gold in women’s 25m pistol at the Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship in New Delhi. In July, she earned a 25m pistol bronze at the ISSF World Cup in Hangzhou. At the September 2026 Asian Games, she reached the 10m pistol final but did not win a medal.

8. How can beginners start learning pistol shooting at GDSA?

Beginners interested in shooting can contact Guru Dronacharya Shooting Academy through its official registration page. Before enrolling, they should confirm the current programmes, age eligibility, supervised training arrangements, safety requirements, branch availability, and fees. Training should take place under qualified supervision and in accordance with applicable shooting-range rules.

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