Gautam Buddha Nagar: The ongoing Khelo India University Games 2022 Uttar Pradesh, says India’s 21 years old Olympic pistol shooter Manu Bhaker, is an excellent platform for youngsters to showcase their talent.
“I believe Khelo India University Games is an event where it is practically possible to experiment and analyze errors,” said the Olympian and 10 M Women’s Air Pistol & Mixed team Bronze & Gold medal winner at the Khelo India University Games 2022 Uttar Pradesh.
“In key domestic competitions, which act as a selection trial, shooters prefer to stay in their zone and don’t experiment,” Manu added.
On Tuesday at the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Ranges, the venue of Khelo India University Games shooting competition, Manu clinched bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol. She shot 217.1 in the final and a day later with another international shooter and team mate Sarabjot Singh she claimed the Gold medal in the 10 M air pistol mixed team event representing Panjab University.
According to the Haryana shooter representing Panjab University, away from the domestic competition, Khelo India University Games has become highly competitive. The University Games, says the Olympian is an event to test the mental ability to perform under pressure. “The Khelo India University Games are very challenging. All the finalists want to prove themselves,” Manu added. “We can see new faces winning medals. It’s a good thing to happen.”
Manu won bronze in the 10m air pistol, she finished outside the medal bracket in the women’s 25m sports pistol.
The upcoming domestic competition and selection trials for the World Championship and Hangzhou Asian Games will be a good opportunity for Manu to make a comeback and cement her place in the national team. “We are hopeful of good results in coming months,” Manu’s father Ram Kishan Baker added.
