Two-time Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker arrives home to enthusiastic reception

Sharpshooter Manu Bhaker is welcomed upon her arrival at the airport in New Delhi, Wednesday, August 7, 2024. Bhaker, the first Indian to win two Olympic medals in one edition, arrived in Delhi after a successful campaign at the Paris 2024 Olympics. | Photo credit: PTI

Star shooter Manu Bhaker landed back in the country on Wednesday after her historic feat of winning two medals in a single edition of the Olympic Games. She was welcomed by hundreds of supporters and her family, who braved the persistent drizzle to give her a memorable reception here.

Also read:Malleswari to Bhaker: Eight Indian women and their ten Olympic medals

Air India flight (AI 142), carrying Bhaker from Paris to Delhi, landed at Indira Gandhi International Airport around 9:20 am, with a delay of an hour.

Hundreds of people, who had been waiting at the airport for her arrival despite the morning drizzle in the city, enthusiastically welcomed her and her coach Jaspal Rana.

The 22-year-old Bhaker won bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol and mixed team 10m air pistol, pairing up with Sarabjot Singh to make Olympic history for her country.

Shooter Manu Bhaker poses for a photo with her bronze medals against the iconic backdrop of the Eiffel Tower during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, in Paris on August 5, 2024. | Photo credit: ANI

Before her, only British-Indian athlete Norman Pritchard had achieved this rare milestone for the country with his two silver medals in the 200 metres sprint and 200 metres hurdles at the 1900 Olympics. However, this was in the pre-independence period.

Before leaving for India, Bhaker had indicated that she was looking forward to a grand welcome and she was not disappointed on Wednesday.

The young man was welcomed with bouquets, streamers and a festive dhol as he emerged from the airport.

As soon as she and Rana came out, they and they were showered with flower petals. At the same time, a large police presence was present to control the crowd.

Also read: LIVE updates from the Paris Olympics, day 12

Among those present were Bhaker’s parents – Ram Kishan and Sumedha – and sports enthusiasts and officials from her home state of Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand, the state to which Rana belongs.

Rana’s father was also at the airport.

“It is a matter of pride for us that a daughter of India is coming back after creating history by winning two medals at the Olympics. That has never happened before. She is just 22 years old,” said former Uttarakhand Sports Minister and Rana’s father, Narayan Singh Rana.

“She comes with her coach Jaspal Rana. He is my son. He brought glory to India by playing in shooting. Jaspal Rana and Abhinav Bindra started it all,” he added.

People gathered at the airport long before her arrival, celebrating her achievement with song and dance, holding banners with pictures of Bhaker and Rana.

Bhaker will meet Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya in the afternoon. She will return to Paris on Saturday to take part in the closing ceremony on Sunday, where she will be one of India’s flag bearers.