PUNE: There is something about Manu Bhaker. Other than being a double Olympic medallist, a former world No. 1, World Championships medallist, there is that something extra that makes Manu what she is today — a fierce competitor even when she is not the best-ranked shooter on the team.Although, the 24-year-old has come a long way and has a little left to prove to her doubters, there is something that Manu would like to tick for herself — an individual medal at the Asian Games.In her participation at the last two editions, 2018 and 2023, Manu finished fifth and sixth. While she had participated in two events at Jakarta 2018, Manu shot only in the 25m pistol at Hangzhou.The Haryana girl is back to shooting in two events at Aichi-Nagoya. The way she has been shooting over the years, it is difficult to say which is her favourite, the 25m pistol or the 10m air pistol. Maybe it is an evolution of sorts.Her Serbian coach, Jelena Arunovic, feels Manu’s presence in the field is not just defined by her achievements.“I think an athlete is defined not just by achievements, but also by longevity. If someone has been competing at the highest level for almost 10 years, regularly reaching finals and standing on international podiums, I don’t think there is a better résume than that,” the Olympic gold-winning coach told TOI.After six months of her stay in India and spending hours at the range with the shooter, Jelena, you could say, has deep insight on what the unique Manu psyche is.
The Indian shooter has gone through some difficult times, personally. After her coach Jaspal Rana passed away suddenly in June, she lost her grandmother last week.Arunovic however feels Manu is a fighter and nothing stops her from working hard.“Technically, she has a very strong foundation and a huge amount of experience. Mentally and temperamentwise, she is a fighter. She wants to improve, she asks questions, she thinks about what she is doing, and she is willing to work even when something is difficult or uncomfortable,” the coach said.Arunovic feels that not just in India, Manu and other Indian shooters enjoy a lot of respect abroad as well.“There is a common belief in shooting that Chinese and Indian athletes train more than anyone else. I have now worked in both countries, and I can say that, in my experience, Indians work more than the Chinese. Manu is definitely part of that culture of hard work,” the coach said.“Manu is respected not only because of her results, but also because of the level she has maintained for many years. I think people in India may sometimes underestimate how much respect Indian shooters have abroad. At international competitions, everyone knows who they are and what they are capable of.”Arunovic, who had guided her sister Zorana to the Paris 2024 gold, feels Manu doesn’t lack motivation and her quest to constantly keep her on top makes her different.“For me, this is the difference between external and internal motivation. External motivation depends on applause, recognition, support, or rewards. Internal motivation does not. When external motivation disappears, everything can stop but an athlete who genuinely wants to be the best does not adjust according to whether people applaud, support or doubt them.“Athletes with strong internal motivation are usually their own biggest critics. They constantly look for what can be better, what can be improved, and what more can be done. Manu is a very good example of that, but I see the same quality across the Indian team,” she explained.Other than the two individual events, Manu will also vie for the team medals with Suruchi Phogat and Esha Singh in the 10m air pistol event and Rahi Sarnobat and Esha in the 25m pistol events.
