New Delhi: The Gold Coast Commonwealth Games saw many new stars take the limelight, one of whom was Haryana’s teenaged shooter Manu Bhaker.
The 16-year-old became the youngest Indian to clinch gold in the 10m air pistol event at the Gold Coast Games.
Just two years into the sport, Manu was not expecting such exceptional results but she is unperturbed about the pressure and expectations that follow such success.
“I don’t think about expectations and pressure… I just focus on my technique and performance.
“I do not compete with anybody and I don’t like comparisons with anybody,” Bhaker said here on Wednesday.
“I am practicing as hard as possible. My only aim is to make India proud again and again with my performances. I give my best and don’t think of winning medals which takes pressure off me. It can not be possible to win gold always,” the junior World Cup gold medallist said after being named ambassador of a daily hygiene brand.
Bhaker is looking forward to the upcoming World Cups — junior and senior — in Germany this May and June as a dress rehearsal for the Asian Games.
“World Cups are very important as I will get to compete with so many talented shooters and use that experience at the Asian Games.
“The Asian Games will be much more difficult than the CWG… it is a bigger platform. And this is my first experience at the event so I am looking forward to it.”
‘Love to compete at both levels’
The Jhajjar born has been participating in junior and senior tournaments but says she has never felt burnt out or exhausted despite a heavy workload.
“I have still fours year to compete at the junior level and I will keep participating in junior as well as senior tournaments. They make my experience richer as the approach is very different. In fact I enjoy participating at both levels, though I get very little time to spend with the family.”
Her mother, Sumedha, chips in saying, “Today we are taking her to home for a night after a month as she is travelling all the time. She was home for just 18 days this year.”
The protege of junior national coach Jaspal Rana credits him for her disciplined life.
“Rana sir is very disciplined. Punctuality is his mantra. He always stresses on a good diet and respect for seniors. He wants us to be perfect and not only in shooting,” she said.
Bhaker says she prefers to train in India as facilities are as good as the best in the world.
“Our facilities are at par with foreign ranges. The Karni Singh Shooting Range is world class and we have national camps there.
“So I am used to the place and in fact I am more comfortable training here in the country.”
