Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh won 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 is India’s second shooting medal at the Paris Games, after Manu’s bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol event. India was ahead 4-2 after the third round and increased their lead to 8-2 after the fifth round. Although South Korea narrowed the gap to 10-6 after the eighth round, the Indian duo stayed calm to secure a comfortable victory.
In the 10m Air Pistol mixed team qualification, Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh finished third with 580 points and 20 perfect shots. They beat the Korean pair, Xue Li and Wonho Lee, 16-8 in the bronze medal match. The Korean team had finished fourth with 579 points and 18 perfect shots. The Turkish team of Sevval Ilayda Tarhan and Yusuf Dikec, who tied the Olympic qualification record with 582 points, will compete against Zorana Arunovic and Damir Mikec of Serbia for the gold medal. India’s Rhythm Sangwan and Arjun Singh Cheema did not qualify for the medal match, finishing 10th with a score of 576.
Manu Bhaker scripts history at the Paris Olympics 2024, becomes the only Indian to win two medals at the same Olympic event.
India had a rough start, with Korea winning the first round 20.5 to 18.8. But the Indian pair fought back in the second round. Manu scored 10.7 and Sarabjot 10.5, while Korea only managed 19.9. India also won the third round, with Manu and Sarabjot both scoring 10.4, compared to Korea’s 19.8. The Indian team took a 6-2 lead, thanks to Manu’s steady shots above 10, despite Sarabjot’s minor mistake with a 9.6. Manu’s consistent performance, including a 10.5, helped India win another round as Korea scored 19.5.