Pistol ace <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/other-sports/article/asian-games-2023-daddys-gutsy-girl-23311369" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Manu Bhaker</a>, 21, has been the postergirl of Indian shooting for some time now, given she has won medals galore at junior and senior levels.&nbsp;
However, &nbsp;an individual medal eluded her at both, the Olympics as well as the <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/other-sports/article/asian-games-2023-complete-schedule-for-all-sports-in-the-continental-showpiece-23309775" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Asian Games</a>.
On Wednesday, moments after she won the 25m team pistol gold with Rhythm Sangwan and Esha Singh, she finished a poor fifth in the individual final of the same event.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/other-sports/article/asian-games-2023-shooters-must-do-better-in-finals-says-nrai-high-performance-director-beauchamp-23311367" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Also Read:&nbsp;Asian Games 2023: Shooters must do better in finals, says NRAI High Performance Director Beauchamp</a>
Bhaker was visibly disappointed and even briefly broke down after finishing outside the individual medals. &ldquo;After today&rsquo;s performance, I got emotional because I have put in a lot of hard work, far more than any of you can imagine,&rdquo; she said after the individual final. &nbsp;&nbsp;
Bhaker qualified for the final with an impressive 590, a score similar to what she had achieved at the last Asiad in Jakarta, and she immediately realised it. &ldquo;At the last Asian Games, I shot a 593 in qualification and finished sixth in the finals. At least this time, it&rsquo;s a step ahead [fifth], so, yeah, baby steps,&rdquo; she said with a hint of sarcasm.
Coming back to the individual final, Bhaker said: &ldquo;The day began well. I started with a great qualification score and was hoping for a podium finish, but unfortunately it didn&rsquo;t happen, and I only have a team gold. But hopefully, this [team gold] will turn into an individual gold too someday and I hope that someday is soon.&rdquo;
Four-time Asian Games gold medal-winnner Jaspal Rana is Bhaker&rsquo;s coach and she suggested that his absence here may have cost her dearly. &ldquo;I hope my coach [Rana] accompanies me for international tournaments because there are many important competitions coming up, including Olympic qualification events. For this Asian Games, I requested for him to join me, but I don&rsquo;t know what&rsquo;s going on,&rdquo; she signed off.
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However,  an individual medal eluded her at both, the Olympics as well as the Asian Games

Manu Bhaker: ‘Got emotional as I’ve worked harder than anyone can imagine’

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Manu Bhaker: ‘Got emotional as I’ve worked harder than anyone can imagine’

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