Manu Bhaker did not show any sign of being dejected at the mixed zone of the Chateauroux shooting centre.
The first athlete of independent India to win two medals in a single Olympic Games, Manu was chasing her third on Saturday. But she fell to the ‘curse of fourth’ in the 25-metre pistol event where she was second in the qualification round on Friday.
The 22-year-old narrowly lost the tie-shoot for the bronze medal to Hungarian Veronika Major. The smile did not disappear. “I gave my all,” she said.
After making a disastrous start — she hit the target only twice in the first series of five shots — Manu was second behind the eventual gold medal winner, South Korea’s Yang Jiin, after the seventh series and the jampacked shooting arena thought the third medal was sealed. But sports is a great leveller.
In the eighth, Manu buckled and missed the target thrice to be on par with Hungarian Major. In the ensuing tie-shoot, Manu once again missed two as compared to Major’s one. France’s Camille Jedrzejewski ended up as the silver medallist.
“I had recovered well. Then probably nerves got the better of me. But I have no complaints,” Manu said.
“It (Olympics) turned out to be very good for me, but well, there’s always a next time. I’m already looking forward to the next one. I am glad that I got two medals and happy that I finished fourth. Fourth is a better place than not qualifying for the final.”
The last eight days were momentous for the shooter who has now attained iconic status back home. “It’s been a roller-coaster ride for me.”
So it was for her fans. The early morning train (5.37am Paris time) to Chateauroux, some 270km from the French capital, was filled with Indian mediapersons and fans. There was a buzz about the treble show. But in the end, everyone was left to rue what if...
Manu’s plans now? “I do not know. Right now I am feeling blank. I trained so hard for Paris that I never thought of anything else. I do not know what India has in store for me once I return.”
With two bronze medals to show, Manu can be sure of a golden reception once she returns home.