Olympian Manu Bhaker fires back at her trolls, says "no one needs to tell me what my goals are"

Olympic shooter Manu Bhaker, fresh off her success at the 2024 Paris Olympics, took a break from the shooting range to walk the ramp at Lakme Fashion Week. Her stylish debut on the runway attracted widespread attention on social media, with fans and critics alike sharing their opinions. While many praised her confidence, others criticized her for stepping into the fashion world.

Indian shooter Manu Bhaker has reaffirmed her focus on goals, stating, "I know my goal; no one needs to remind me." Bhaker's response comes amidst heightened expectations and media attention.#ManuBhaker #IndianShootingTeam #ShootingChampion #ConfidenceIsKey #GujaratNews #Sports pic.twitter.com/0BJ3h22OQV

— Ahmedabad Mirror (@ahmedabadmirror) October 15, 2024

Bhaker, who won two bronze medals at the Paris Olympics, addressed the online backlash in a social media post. She wrote, "Wow, thank you guys for some good words. Also quite some haters I see. I just wanted to say, don't limit yourself to anything, make your life big, your career shiny and your parents proud… haters will hate, lovers will love, you do you. Have your morale high and make your own way, in your own style. There's no shortcut to things, but why do easy things when good gave you strength to do difficult. Cheers."

The 22-year-old athlete made headlines not just for her Olympic triumphs but also for her poised walk at the Lakme Fashion Week. Wearing a sleek, sleeveless black body-fitted dress as a showstopper for Marks and Spencer, she struck her signature shooting pose on the runway. This moment went viral, further fueling the online conversation around her dual presence in sports and fashion.

Olympic Break: Pre-Planned and Necessary
After her performance at the Olympics, where Bhaker secured bronze in both the women's 10m air pistol and the mixed 10m air pistol team events alongside Sarabjot Singh, she decided to take a break from competitive shooting. Bhaker revealed that this break had been planned before the Olympics. "I do feel like competing. But before Olympics, my coach had told me to take three months off since I was facing injuries due to pistol recoil," Bhaker said while speaking to the media in Delhi ahead of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup Final.

Despite her time away from the shooting range, Bhaker reassured her supporters that her focus remains intact. "I know my goal; no one needs to remind me," she stated. Bhaker confirmed that she will return to training in November and is targeting a competitive comeback in 2025. "I will be back for the training in November and to the match maybe by next year. I will follow all the action thoroughly. But my eyes will be on the 10 metres event, the 25 metres event, and the pistol events, since I am a pistol shooter."

Balancing Shooting and Family Time
In addition to taking a break from the competitive circuit, Bhaker expressed her joy at being able to spend time with her family. After a hectic schedule in preparation for the Olympics, she welcomed the opportunity to relax at home. "I am happy that I got a chance to spend time with my family after a long time. I eat homemade food and enjoy it a lot," she added.

This break has not dulled Bhaker's competitive spirit, as she remains focused on future events. The ISSF World Cup Final, taking place in Delhi, holds special significance for her as a prestigious platform for the "champions of champions." Bhaker emphasized its value for young shooters, saying, "To play here is a big experience in itself. Players should make the most out of it, give their best and not be afraid."

Olympic Triumphs and Social Media Trolling
Bhaker's Olympic success has placed her in the spotlight, both on and off the field. She made history at the 2024 Paris Olympics by becoming the first female shooter from India to win a medal at the Games, securing bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol event. Her second bronze came in the mixed team event, making her the first Indian since independence to win two medals at the same Olympics.

Her achievements have drawn both admiration and criticism. Many fans stood up for her when trolls targeted her Lakme Fashion Week appearance. One supporter commented, "You deserve all of this and more. It's weird seeing people trolling her for getting the attention and limelight she's getting. She deserves all of it, compare what cricketers in our country get for winning accolades for India and you would feel this is still barely anything as compared to that."

Despite the scrutiny, Bhaker remains focused on her next steps in competitive shooting. She is determined to return to the shooting range and continue building on her Olympic success. As she prepares for the next chapter of her career, Bhaker’s ability to balance her passions—both on the runway and in the shooting arena—sets her apart as a trailblazer in Indian sports.

Her message to critics and supporters alike remains clear: "Don't limit yourself to anything, make your life big, your career shiny and your parents proud… haters will hate, lovers will love, you do you."