Manu Bhaker happy to take pressure of expectation at Tokyo 2020

Indian pistol shooter Manu Bhaker believes that Tokyo 2020 will be an opportunity for her to live up to the hopes and expectations of her well-wishers.

The 19-year-old Indian shooter is one of India’s top medal hopes at the Tokyo Games. Though she realises the pressure that the Olympics bring with it, Manu Bhaker is focused on her goal.

“The Olympics is everything. It's the be all, and end all for me. Yes, there’s pressure going into the Games. But I really love when people have that faith in me. It makes me stronger. I really want to do that, to make everyone proud,” she told Olympics.com.

In an Originals series -- Jee Jaan Se: India’s Olympic Hope -- released in the build-up to the Summer Games, Manu Bhaker also shared her journey so far, which includes winning a gold medal at the 2018 Youth Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

“The Youth Olympics means a lot to me. It was one of the best competitions for me, ever. That event gave me the 'Olympian' tag. That makes me happy,” Manu Bhaker said.

“More than the medal, it was the national anthem that meant a lot to me. In a foreign land, our national anthem is played because of something we have achieved and people are standing for it, that’s what makes it even more special for me,” the Indian pistol shooter added.

Growing up in Jhajjar, Haryana - a state renowned for producing multiple champion athletes - it was no surprise that Manu Bhaker too was drawn into sports at an early age. 

But the youngster didn’t stick to any one discipline during her early days. She tried her hand at boxing, tennis, skating and even thang ta -- a form of martial arts -- and excelled in them at various levels.

“Actually, I never thought how mum and dad would react to me taking up so many different sports and giving up on it without a second thought. Whatever I loved, I would go for it,” the 19-year-old said. 

“In school, I would go late for my classes so the teacher asked me to stand outside and that gave me more time to play. It (sports) was an excuse to bunk lectures and I had a new hobby too,” Manu Bhaker said, letting out a hearty laugh.

But, having picked up the pistol as a 14-year-old in 2016, there has been no looking back.

With success at various levels and the backing of her support system pushing her, Manu Bhaker will be keen to shoot down yet another target at Tokyo 2020.