16-year-old Manu Bhaker aims medals for two categories at Tokyo Olympics, 2020

05/10/2018

Manu Bhaker has decided to pay equal attention to the 25m sport pistol category and her regular 10m air pistol event ahead of the coveted 2020 Tokyo Olympics. However, the teenager has insisted that everything will depend on the National Rifle Association of India’s (NRAI) selection procedures.

Bhaker’s standout performance in the recently concluded Commonwealth Games at the Gold Coast, caught everyone’s eyes. The Haryana girl clinched a gold medal in 10m air pistol category, leaving the seasoned campaigner Heena Sidhu behind. In a recent interview with TOI, Bhaker has revealed that she would be sending entries in both categories in the Munich and Suhl World Cups and the Czech Republic tournament.

Bhaker would also look to earn quota places in both events at the Changwon World Championships in Korea from August 31 to September 15, which will double up as the Olympic qualifier ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Games.

“I have started focusing on the 25m sport pistol event. I need to get better in the 25m event. I have got good rankings in the seniors' division, so I’ll try to do well in both events. After the Munich and Suhl World Cups, I’ll again compete in both categories at the ‘28th Meeting of the Shooting Hopes’ in Plzen and the Changwon championships,” said Manu.

Explaining her new move, Bhaker stated that she was looking forward to compete in both the senior and junior categories, which would put Heena Sidhu against some serious competition in both her competing categories.

“I’ll continue shooting in both the junior and senior categories as long as the two are not clashing in the same competition. Like in Changwon, I’ll compete in the senior division for a quota place,” added the 16-year-old.

However, the teenager was quick to point out that everything will depend on the National Rifle Association of India’s (NRAI) selection procedures, who would decide which categories Bhaker would participate in the upcoming tournaments.

“Everything depends on what the National Rifle Association of India’s (NRAI) selection committee decides,” concluded Manu.