NEW DELHI: For an athlete who is constantly in the limelight, criticism is often faster than applause. Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker knows this all too well. Criticism, in Manu’s words, was once something that could easily weigh her down.“Earlier it would have definitely affected me, but now I don’t think it will matter much to me,” Bhaker told reporters during a virtual interaction ahead of the Asian Rifle and Pistol Championship.
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“I’m very aware of the criticism that can follow a bad competition or the praise that can follow a good competition. So it doesn’t really affect me that much.”The 23-year-old sharpshooter now understands the importance of positivity, something that has been constant since her two bronze medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics.“Since the Olympics, I’ve seen a lot of people coming to my matches, cheering and supporting me. And no matter what my performance is…even if I end up on the podium or not, I see a very positive change in people and I really appreciate that,” she admitted with a smile.With anticipation building every time her name appears on the start list, Bhaker insists she is no longer burdened by the extra attention.“I basically grew up in the sport. I was 14 when I first came and now I’m about to be 24,” she added.Manu is gearing up for the upcoming challenge of the Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship to be held at the Dr Karni Singh Range in Delhi from February 2-14.Over 300 shooters from 17 countries will participate in the event, and for Bhaker, competing at home brings a sense of excitement rather than pressure.“Right now I feel very fit, very healthy and I am really looking forward to the Asian Championship. Since the Asian Championship will be in Delhi itself, it is basically our home ground. My family and friends will also be watching,” she added.
I am very aware of the criticism that can follow a bad contest or the praise that can follow a good contest.
Manu Bhaker
Although one of India’s biggest medal hopes, Bhaker has deliberately stayed away from setting goals aimed at podiums.“I didn’t really set the expectation that I was going to have to win gold or silver or anything,” she said. “But when it comes to performance, I have certain expectations.“I set a personal goal for myself in terms of performance. I set a bar for myself to be at that level. I also trained under several different circumstances.”READ ALSO: ‘Playing in Delhi has its challenges’: 22-year-old Rhythm Sangwan chases ‘missing’ gold on home turfFor Bhaker, the Asian Championship is about growth, which now comes from within, perhaps not from the noise outside.(Fans can watch the Asian Rifle and Pistol Shooting Championships on FanCode.)
