Man Bhaker scripted her name into the history books during the Paris Olympics 2024, where she became the first Indian athlete to clinch two medals in a single edition in shooting. The 22-year old Haryana girl won two bronze medals at the Women's 10m air pistol event and also in the Mixed 10m air pistol category.
Life of an athlete is never easy as apart from the relentless hard work they have to put in, they also have to face the wrath of the critics and trolls on social media. But the youngster is unfazed by all the bad-mouthing as she has already gone through the downfall phase and the secret of her success is her patience.
“I am really happy that I have already seen the downfall phase, it has taught me a lot of patience. It doesn’t really bother me, what people talk on the social media. Honestly, I don’t need to cope up with that, why would I need to do that?'', Bhaker told PTI videos on Saturday.
She doesn't really care about the hatemongers and has extended her heartfelt gratitude for those who who believed her in her journey.
“I want to thank people who have been there for me throughout my journey. They have made sure that I am always ready mentally and physically. I am also thankful to people who are really appreciating me, thinking and talking about my journey, keen to ask me about that. People who are hating, I don’t think I really care about them," she added.
As of now Manu has taken a break from shooting and is currently focusing on her Master's degree in Public Administration from Chandigarh's Panjab University.
But Bhaker has further clarified that it is not a complete break as she is always in touch with coach Jaspal Rana and the planning for future competitions are going on in full swing.
“We (Jaspal Rana and me) are in touch and it is not a complete break. So it is a break only from shooting and it is not a break where you can do whatever you want to do in life''.
“We are in touch and we plan strategies that what we need to do in future and what things we want to focus for the future competitions, camps, what strategies we have to follow. During my exams, he made sure that nothing else is in my head. At that time he wanted me to completely focus on studies", she said.