Manu Bhaker Overtakes Virender Sehwag In Popularity With Paris Olympics Bronze

Manu Bhaker, a 22-year-old shooter from Jhajjar, Haryana, has recently become the most searched athlete from her district, surpassing cricket legend Virender Sehwag. Bhaker's rise in popularity follows her historic win at the Paris Olympics.

Bhaker clinched a bronze medal in the 10m air pistol shooting event, making her the first Indian female shooter to achieve this feat. This victory not only opened India's medal tally at the Paris Olympics but also marked a significant milestone in Indian sports history.

Two days after her individual success, Bhaker teamed up with Sarabjot Singh to secure another bronze medal in the mixed team event. This achievement made her the first Indian to win two medals in a single edition of the Olympics.

Trained by Olympian Jaspal Rana, Bhaker's accomplishments have captured national attention and sparked widespread interest. Her double medals have placed her among an elite group of Indian athletes who have won multiple Olympic medals.

Before Bhaker's rise, Jhajjar was known for Virender Sehwag, one of modern cricket's most aggressive batters. Sehwag, originally from Jhajjar but residing in Delhi's Najafgarh area, revolutionised Test cricket with his high-risk batting style.

Sehwag was the first Indian to score a triple century in Test cricket and achieved this milestone twice. He also became the second batter to score a double century in One Day Internationals (ODIs).

Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) July 28, 2024

Sehwag's performances inspired many young cricketers across India, including those from Haryana. However, Manu Bhaker's recent achievements have now overshadowed Sehwag's popularity in their hometown.

Manu Bhaker's Lasting Impact

Bhaker's success is expected to inspire a new generation of athletes in Haryana. Her achievements are comparable to those of Saina Nehwal and MC Mary Kom at the London Olympics and Sakshi Malik and PV Sindhu at Rio.

The state has seen a surge in participation among young girls in sports like badminton, boxing, and wrestling. Parents are now more supportive of their daughters pursuing sports careers, inspired by figures like Sakshi Malik and the Phogat sisters.

Bhaker's potential third medal in the 25m pistol event could further boost girls' participation in shooting. Haryana has become a powerhouse in traditionally male-dominated sports like boxing, wrestling, and shooting.

The state government's efforts to improve the child sex ratio have started to bear fruit. This progress serves as an example for other states aiming for gender balance.

Manu Bhaker's contributions extend beyond her sporting achievements. Her success will likely drive societal change as India strives for gender parity and women's empowerment.

Her journey from Jhajjar to the global stage signifies a changing landscape for Indian sports and society. It heralds new opportunities for young girls across the nation.