Youth Olympics: Teenage sensation Manu Bhaker wins gold in women’s 10m Air Pistol event

Teenage shooter Manu Bhaker clinched gold in the women’s 10m Air Pistol event at the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Tuesday. The 16-year-old shot a total of 236.5 points to bag the yellow metal making her the first Indian women to win a gold at the Youth Games.

It was India’s second gold at the Youth Games following Mizoram boy Jeremy Lalrinnunga’s historic gold in the 62 kg-weightlifting event.

Russia’s Iana Enina claimed the silver with 235.9 points, while Nino Khutsiberidze of Georgia settled for the bronze.

Also Read: Youth Olympics: Jeremy Lalrinnunga clinches India’s first ever gold medal

A fabulous performance by @realmanubhaker as she clinches a gold ? for #India in 10m Air Pistol at @youtholympics @BuenosAires2018
Well done Manu! ??
You have made the country proud.???@Media_SAI @ISSF_Shooting @kheloindia @akashvanisports @ddsportschannel @ISSF_Shooting pic.twitter.com/KrqOh55zw3

— Dept of Sports MYAS (@IndiaSports) October 9, 2018

Earlier, Bhaker had topped the qualification round with a score of 576 points – that included a series of 95, 96, 96, 95, 98 – finishing ahead of the two medallists, who came second and third in the qualifying round. The gulf between the Indian shooter and others competitors were clearly evident.

The teenage sensation had earlier won gold at the ISSF World Cup and the Commonwealth Games but failed to live up to her expectations at the Asian Games in Jakarta and the World Championships. She was, however, billed her coaches to win the gold in Buenos Aires and the faith eventually paid off.

Bhaker began the eight women final with full confidence and shot 10.0 in the opening round. She then followed it up with a 10.1 and 10.4 and led Stage 1 with 99.3 points having scored 10 or above in seven consecutive shots.

The 16-year-old was also India’s flag-bearer at the opening ceremony of the Youth Games.

Image Source: Livemint