Independence Day 2025: Double Olympic Medallist Manu Bhaker Plays National Anthem Tune On Violin
Bhaker posted the video on her official Instagram handle, captioned, "An attempt to play the tune that is closest to my heart this Independence Day. Each time I represent India, I wish to stand on the podium and listen to this. Generally, we sit and play the violin, but this time subconsciously, we stood up while playing the National Anthem. It's the admiration for our nation that cannot be put into words. Jai Hind!"
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Manu Bhaker (@bhakermanu)
At the Olympics in Paris last year, Bhaker opened India's medal tally after she secured third place in the women's individual 10m air pistol event, becoming the first-ever woman shooter to win an Olympic medal for India. Following that, Sarabjot Singh and Bhaker won the bronze medal in the 10m air pistol (mixed team) event, which was India's first-ever shooting team medal. In her final event, she narrowly missed out on the historic grand treble and finished fourth in the women's 25m pistol shooting event. She missed out on the opportunity to become the first Indian to win three medals at the Olympics.
The young shooter's sweet redemption came after a disappointing Tokyo Olympics campaign in 2021, where a malfunction in her gun cost her a medal.
During the 10 m air pistol qualification round during the Tokyo Olympics, her gun malfunctioned, which caused her to lose a lot of time. She was left with a very short amount of time to carry out her quota of shots.
She missed the top-eight finish required to qualify for the final round and finished at the 12th spot. In the 25-metre pistol event, she failed to qualify further, finishing in the 15th spot. Her 10 m air pistol mixed team event did not go well either, as she finished in seventh overall. Aside from her Olympic medals, Manu has made India proud across a variety of competitions. In the 2023 Baku Shooting World Championships, she secured a gold medal in the 25 m pistol team, after a silver in the 2022 edition in the same category. She won a Commonwealth Games gold medal back in 2018 in Gold Coast in 10 m air pistol category. The 25 m pistol team gold also went to Manu's cabinet during the Asian Games in Hangzhou back in 2023. She has also secured a total of 20 medals in the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cups, including 13 gold, three silver and four bronze medals.
Manu has also earned four Asian Championships golds, a silver and two bronze medals among other accomplishments.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
12 minutes ago
- News18
Neeraj Chopra books spot in Diamond League 2025 final in Zurich
New Delhi [India], August 17 (ANI): Reigning world champion Neeraj Chopra has confirmed his place in the men's javelin throw event at the Diamond League 2025 Final in Zurich, Switzerland, as per the latest standings released after the Silesia leg on Saturday, as per two-time Olympic medallist did not feature in the Silesia Diamond League, but with 15 points from two DL appearances this season, Chopra has already sealed his qualification for the finale scheduled on August 27 and 28. The men's javelin final to decide the champion of the Diamond League will take place on August 27-year-old Indian star has been in fine form this year. He clinched victory at the Paris leg with a throw of 88.16m, after producing a national record-breaking 90.23m effort in Doha, where he finished second behind Germany's Julian Weber. Both Chopra and Weber are tied on 15 points in second place, while Keshorn Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago, the London 2012 Olympic champion, leads the standings with 17 points from three events. Walcott finished second in Silesia with an effort of men's javelin line-up in Zurich is also expected to include two-time world champion Anderson Peters and Luiz Mauricio Da Silva of Brazil in the who lifted the Diamond League trophy in 2022 and finished runner-up in 2023 and 2024, has not yet officially confirmed his participation in the Zurich Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem, who won gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics, has skipped the Diamond League circuit this year. (ANI)
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Important for India football team to remain united: new head coach Khalid Jamil
New Delhi [India], August 17 (ANI): A new era has just begun for Indian football after Khalid Jamil took charge of the Blue Tigers, the first Indian coach in 13 years, as per the official website of the All India Football Federation (AIFF).The national camp began on Independence Day (August 15) in Bengaluru, and the first training session was held at the Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence on August on his maiden international appointment in coaching, said, 'It is my pleasure to serve the country. It has always been my dream to do this, and it has now come true, so that feels very good. There is a big task ahead of us, and we've got many areas that we need to work on. I am fully aware how big a responsibility it is for me, but I feel thankful that the Federation (AIFF) felt me worthy to be entrusted with it," as quoted from the official website of 48-year-old's first assignment will be the CAFA Nations Cup, where India have been drafted into Group B, and will travel to Hisor, Tajikistan, to play the hosts (August 29), IR Iran (September 1), and Afghanistan (September 4). The top teams from groups A and B will play the final on September 8 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and the two second-placed teams will face each other in a battle for third place on the same day in national camp began on August 16 with 22 players, with 13 others currently fulfilling their respective club engagements in the Durand who is keeping an eye on the progress of the other 13 players, said, 'We started the camp with some players still not available, but we've got the players we need to begin our preparations. The important thing is that we remain united as a team, because this will be India's first-ever participation in the CAFA Nations Cup, and it will be a good opportunity for us to play stronger opponents. Therefore, for the national interest, we would like to request co-operation from clubs to release players on time, to ensure their adequate participation during the preparatory camp."However, the newly-appointed India head coach has his sights set on the AFC Asian Cup Final Round Qualifiers, where India will face Singapore in the October FIFA International Window (October 9 in Singapore and October 14 in India), in their Group C encounters.'It will be good for us to play against quality opponents in the CAFA Nations Cup. There is absolutely no excuse for us, as we have enough time to prepare for it," said Jamil.'Playing against stronger teams like Tajikistan and Iran will definitely be beneficial for us to prepare for the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers," he has, thus far, played two, drawn one (0-0 at home against Bangladesh), and lost one (0-1 away in Hong Kong), and is bottom of Group C with just a point. Tasked with turning the Blue Tigers' fortunes around, Jamil plans to take things one step at a time.'We must do the simple things first and go step by step. We are treating these as friendly games, but I want to take players who are fit. When I say fit, I mean the players who will play must be 100 per cent fit," said Jamil.'We had a good first training session yesterday (Saturday), but there's a lot to improve on," he noted.'We may be treating these as preparatory games, but this is serious business for us. I need time to adjust to this team, and the players need time to adjust to me," he said.'My doors are always open to everybody. Whoever is doing well will be selected," Jamil absence of striker Sunil Chhetri in the probables squad for the 2025 CAFA Nations Cup has raised a few questions, though for Jamil, the doors are open.'Sunil is a legend of Indian football. I have played against him, I've seen him play on numerous occasions, and he is one of my favourite players. He is a role model for Indian football, and the door is always open for him," said Jamil.'He's not there in this camp because we are playing a tournament which will essentially serve as a preparation for our Asian Cup Qualifiers," he said.'I also want to try out a few other players during this FIFA window. I had a talk with him about the same. It's always a pleasure to have a player like him in the team," he newly-appointed coach urged the fans of Indian football to stick by the team as they look to turn things around. 'I am extremely thankful to the fans. They have been extremely supportive of us every time. Keep supporting us, and be patient," he added. (ANI)
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Leander Inconsolable At Dr. Vece Paes's Funeral, Sourav Ganguly & Dilip Tirkey Join Mourners In Procession
Last Updated: Dr. Vece Paes was laid to rest on Sunday. Sourav Ganguly and Dilip Tirkey joined the mourners as Leander Paes was consoled by many. Dr. Vece Paes, an Olympic bronze medallist and pioneering sports medicine expert, was laid to rest on Sunday. Among the mourners at his funeral procession were former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly and Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey. In a poignant moment, young players lined up on either side of the road and raised their sticks to pay their last respects as his hearse made its way to the Maidan tent. Officials from Hockey Bengal, the oldest association for the sport in the country, were also present. His son Leander Paes was inconsolable, with Ganguly and others comforting the tennis legend by placing their arms around him and offering words of support in his hour of grief. The mass was held at St Thomas' Church, Middleton Row. Among those present were former India cricketer Arun Lal and Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien, who joined the bereaved family, friends, and members of the sporting fraternity in bidding farewell to the player who was part of the Indian team that won the bronze medal at the 1972 Olympics. The funeral services were followed by the interment at the Lower Circular Road Cemetery on AJC Bose Road. At the graveside, flowers were laid and candles lit, creating an atmosphere filled with emotion. His final journey began with a stop at the Hockey Bengal tent, where Tirkey was present to pay his last tributes. Flags from his former club East Bengal, where he started his journey, and Mohun Bagan, with whom he won nine Beighton Cup titles, and Hockey Bengal were draped over the coffin. City-based industrialist Noomi Mehta, who had once played rugby alongside Paes at the Calcutta Cricket and Football Club, was also seen consoling the tennis legend. Paes, who died on Thursday at the age of 80 due to age-related illness and Parkinson's disease, was remembered as an all-round sportsman—a midfielder in hockey, a rugby international, and an eminent sports medicine expert in the country. What Did Hockey India President Say? Tirkey described Paes as an incredible figure who contributed immensely as both a player and a sports medicine specialist. 'Dr. Paes' absence will always remain in the hearts of sports fans, sports fraternities, and many other hockey players. As a player, as a doctor, he has supported the players a lot," Tirkey was quoted as saying to PTI. 'During the camp, he used to stay with the team, take care of the players, treat them, for many years, free of cost. 'As far as I am concerned, personally I saw him from close quarters during the Athens Olympics in 2004," he recalled. Tirkey praised Paes' contribution to Indian sport and his pioneering role in bringing scientific methods into player management."Today we are talking about sports science, and how players can advance in sports through this. 'But doctor have brought this in many years ago, and used to pay attention to this. Today, you are seeing the result of this." 'In Indian sports, for the first time, we saw from one family, father and son winning Olympics medals — Dr. Paes in hockey and then Leander in tennis. His mother was also the Indian basketball team captain. So it was a complete sports family." Paes also served as the president of the Indian Rugby Football Union from 1996 to 2002. 'Dr. Paes absence will always be there. And we will never forget his contribution to hockey and the players and sports in general," Tirkey added. After retiring as a player, Paes devoted himself full-time to sports medicine, serving as a consultant with the BCCI, Asian Cricket Council, All India Football Federation, and the Indian Olympic Association, besides travelling with the Indian Davis Cup team. A graduate of Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College in Kolkata, Paes was celebrated not only for his sporting feats but also for his relentless contribution as a doctor, administrator, and fierce advocate against age-fraud and doping. (With inputs from PTI) view comments First Published: August 17, 2025, 20:46 IST News sports Leander Inconsolable At Dr. Vece Paes's Funeral, Sourav Ganguly & Dilip Tirkey Join Mourners In Procession Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
