Manu Bhaker—A great sport and India’s shooting star

What do you say to a young Olympic medallist who has made history—and is intentional in everything she sets her mind on—when you first meet her after her glorious win? Of course congratulating Manu Bhaker, the professional shooter who is the first Indian woman to win two bronze medals—one in individual and the other in mixed—at the Olympics (Paris 2024), is the first rule of engagement. But it doesn’t seem enough, for you know she has inspired an entire generation on a global arena, as you watched her from afar and cheered for her along with your country women and men. 

My team waited in anticipation as Manu made her way to her first Cosmopolitan India cover shoot. After the one-and-a-half hours we had with her, each one of us came out in awe. Open to the steady stream of ideas that was being shared with her, the chatty and incredibly charming Manu—despite her packed schedule and commitments that followed on a working Sunday—brought with her a calming energy on set. A far cry from the notion people have about Gen Z (who are over-stimulated by too much going on, all at once), Manu was receptive, mindful, and unaffected by her epoch-making win in Paris. The athlete who cemented a place in history casually told me she had gone for a 5km run at two in the morning before our scheduled shoot at 10:30am. 

Even before her extraordinary win, the 22-year-old Manu had secured a place in the league of extraordinary athletes—she became the first Indian woman to qualify for three finals in shooting. For those following her quiet dedication and perseverance since 2018, when she won gold at the 10m Air Pistol at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Manu’s pioneering feat was only a matter of time. 

With 15 minutes allotted for our Zoom interview, Manu gave us a candid insight into her life so far—her playlist, her unwavering allegiance to excellence in shooting, her dreams, and vision for her future. Excerpts from the interview…

Pratishtha Dobhal: Congratulations on winning the bronze medals in Paris Olympics, and making us all so proud! What is a regular day like in the life of Manu Bhaker when she’s not training?

Manu Bhaker: When I am not training, you would probably find me doing fitness routines. If I stay away from fitness for some time, I freak out. From my boxing days, my routines were very strict and so was my coach. So, I think it comes from that and it has become more of a lifestyle from when I was a kid…I now need it in my day-to-day life. You would also probably find me horse riding, dancing, or playing the violin.

PD: Coming from an academic background—your father is a chief engineer; your mother, a school principal; and you have graduated with a degree in political science from Lady Shri Ram College (to now pursuing your master’s degree), how do you manage to fit it all in? Also, do you think that women can have it all in today’s day and age? 

MB: Personally, I think that whosoever—a girl, a boy…anyone—has their priorities straight can do it. Personally, I know that studies are important…I enjoy doing that. The credit goes to my tutors, all my teachers who take out the time even after their busy days to teach me privately.  

PD: Incredible! What was the one big takeaway from the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics that helped you make history in Paris this year? 

MB: From Tokyo, I took not just one lesson but many. If I have to name it, the foremost would be that I was really scared at the Tokyo [Games] and I did not want to have the same approach this time around. I had experienced one Olympic Games already, so while going into Paris, my mood was more like ‘be brave this time’. In moments when I felt low, I knew I had to keep myself motivated and disciplined. One lesson that I took away was to not be scared of the circumstances or the outcomes. Another was being better prepared, particularly in terms of technical elements.

PD: It is amazing that you’ve got such a strong support system. You’ve spoken about journalling and also about seeking comfort in spirituality…what are the other ways in which you take care of your mental health? 

MB: Having hobbies will give you mental peace and space, it helps you relax and keeps you focused. My hobbies are diverse. If I’m playing the violin—a difficult instrument to play—I can’t be thinking of anything else while doing it. Horse riding is also one of the things when you can’t really think of other things…you have to focus on that thing at that very moment. Also while dancing, you have to be in the present and focus. 

PD: How do you celebrate your victories?  

MB: The first two things I do are eat and sleep (laughs). After such hectic routines of training, I am really tired and I look forward to eating and sleeping properly…that’s it!

PD: Your mom’s aloo parathas have also become quite famous! 

MB: She does not allow me to eat that often…maybe just once a month. She’s very strict with my diet.

PD: Besides being a sporting legend, what would you like to be remembered for? 

MB: I am only 22 years old. I want to be very consistent with my performance. I want to give back to society and do something for the sport as well. It’s a long career…it’s been eight-and-a-half years for me in this sport already. Even before that I was into some other sport all the time. I think I want to shoot for a long time and I want to coach athletes. Let’s see how it all unfolds.

PD: Do you miss out on being a normal 22 year old?

MB: When I was in college, I would feel like that. When I was in first year or second year of my graduation, I would feel that I do not have any friends or a college life. I did not have a school life also in grade 11 and 12. I started travelling when I was in 10th standard. While I’ve missed all of this at times, I have made peace with the fact that I have other things to do in life, and I must focus on that rather than crying over stupid things.

PD: Is there one thing that people would be surprised to know about you? 

MB: I am a very social person. People actually know a lot about me already. I don’t try to hide anything.

PD: That’s true…you’re a straight talker and a straight shooter. Both sort of complement each other beautifully. If your shooting gear could talk, what do you think it would say about you? 

MB: I think it would tell me to stop it. It would be like ‘bas kar bhai’ (laughs). Right now, I am on a break, so “ho gaya, bas abhi kuch time ke liye” [I am done for the time being]. 
 

PD: Dead or alive, one sportsperson you’d want to spend a whole day with? 

MB: Maybe I’ll name a few of my favourites. Usain Bolt [Jamaican runner] is one of them—I’ve read his book so many times and I’ve known his journey as well…I’ve watched so many of his interviews too. And then, in India, cricketers Sachin Tendulkar, Dhoni sir [MS Dhoni], and Virat Kohli. It would be an honour to spend even an hour with any of them!

PD: Is there a cause you care deeply about and how do you envision making a difference in that particular cause? 

MB: Being a sportsperson, I would want to contribute a lot to sports in India and I would want to see India win as many medals as possible—Olympics or any other event. I would want to give all my support and share everything—my knowledge, my experience—with upcoming athletes. I would love to do that.

PD: If you were to imagine your life as a movie, who would you want to play ‘you’. Also, if you could give that film a title, what would it be?

MB: I’ve never actually thought about it honestly. Maybe by the time they’re making the film, we’ll have new people in the industry. So I don’t know.

PD: But from the current crew…

MB: Just someone who can actually portray my character really well—one who is hard working, disciplined, and enjoys life. You would be able to tell better!

PD: Who is your favourite actor?

MB: Amitabh Bachchan sir is one of the legends we have. He’s been really consistent and I admire him for how long his versatile career has been. He’s also given a lot to society. 

PD: If you could change one thing about the way women’s sports is perceived or supported in India, what would it be?

MB: I look forward to seeing a few changes in society. I think parents will have to take this initiative and encourage their girls and protect them, which will help them become stronger and more confident. Firstly, the household of a woman, her parents, and the people she’s surrounded by matter the most. I think it starts there. Education also plays a very important role. We need to improve in all of these matters.

PD: Before you went for the Olympics, you spoke briefly about reading Paulo Coelho’s  The Alchemist. Have you managed to finish the book and what are you currently reading? 

MB: No…earlier I was halfway through but now I’ve been able to read a few more pages only. I haven’t been able to finish it yet. Whenever I get time—even while flying or just travelling—I try to read it. Now, I’m just so tired, I need to sleep. I just go to sleep every now and then. 

PD: You have mentioned in your earlier interviews that you will take a short break before you resume training…

MB: Yes, three months.

PD: Any checklist of places you want to go to for a quick two-day break, if at all it’s possible.

MB: Spending time with my family itself is a bliss because I was away from them for a long time. I was never actually able to sit around them, talk, watch a movie, or just spend some time with them. I guess I will just go on a drive…that would be good. I would like to go out with my friends also…it’s been so long since I last went with them…maybe, two years ago! I will plan it maybe a month later.  

PD: I can’t let you go without asking you that when you're driving, what is the song that you have on loop? What is Manu’s playlist like? 

MB: I have different moods, and accordingly, different sets of playlists. Sometimes I’d play Karan Aujla, for example…sometimes I would play Arijit Singh, and at other times Lata Mangeshkar ji. Also, Taylor Swift, and then maybe listen to Haryanvi songs by Masoom Sharma. I have a very versatile playlist. 

PD: It’s really diverse. So no Swiftie concert happening on your bucket list? 

MB: I don't know. I’ll see if I can make time for it…but my priority is my sport only.

Editor and interview: Pratishtha Dobhal 

Digital Editor: Sonal Ved  

Photographer: Anubhav Sood 

Stylist: Pranav Goswamy  

Cover Design: Mandeep Singh 

Editorial coordinator: Shalini Kanojia 

Make-up and hair artist: Nidhi Thakur 

Styling assistant: Megha Paliwal 

Location courtesy: Vivanta Surajkund NCR by Taj 
 

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