Shooting World Cup: Manu Bhaker clinches Olympic quota
India's teenage shooting sensation Manu Bhaker has sealed her spot for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo in the women's 10m air pistol event. The rising star finished fourth in the final of the season's third International Shooting Sport Federation World Cup in Munich. Unfortunately, the Indian shooter missed out on a medal by a whisker. Here's more on the same.
Bhaker's performance means India have now clinched seven quotas in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The 17-year-old shooter also earned India's first quota in the women's 10m air pistol event. Earlier, the likes of Saurabh Chaudhary and Abhishek Verma had won the spots in men's 10m air pistol. Notably, they had sealed the spots during the World Cups in New Delhi and Beijing respectively.
On Wednesday, Bhaker managed to finish just 0.1 point behind the third place. She ended up with 201.0 points, as Minjung Kim of Korea won the bronze. Greece's Anna Korakaki (241.4 points) sealed the gold medal with a commanding performance. The silver medal went to China's Wei Qian (239.6), who also took the second quota place.
After Monday's heartbreak, this was a brighter day for the teenager. Despite leading the women's 25m pistol, a weapon malfunction saw Bhaker slip to fifth spot. Rahi Sarnobat, who clinched the gold on Monday, sealed a Olympic quota place for India with her efforts.
The 17-year-old Bhaker had a phenomenal 2018. She started the year on a strong note after winning the gold at the Junior World Cup in Australia. It was followed by another top prize at the Senior World Cup in Mexico. After Commonwealth Games delights, Bhaker also clinched another gold medal at the ISSF Junior World Cup.
Bhaker has risen rapidly over a short period of time. The consistent shows will help her massively. She will be hoping to excel during the remaining season ahead of the Olympics. It would be a special moment for Bhaker to represent India at the Olympics.
