On August 7, Wednesday, Manu Bhaker, India’s double bronze medalist from the Paris Olympics 2024, arrived in Delhi. She was greeted with enthusiasm at Indira Gandhi International Airport by the reporters, airport staff and excited fans.
The nation was eager to meet the only Indian athlete, who won multiple medals in single Olympic Games. Her parents, along with other relatives and her childhood coach, were there to welcome her with a lavish entry.
Manu Bhaker, clinched bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol and 10m air pistol mixed team event with teammate Sarabjot Singh, at Olympics 2024. Bhaker’s triumphs are commendable. She is the first Indian athlete to win two medals in a single Olympics, since British Indian athlete Norman Pritchard, who won two silvers in the 1900 Games.
“It fills us with profound pride that a daughter of India is coming home after creating history. Winning two Olympic medals is an unprecedented feat,” stated Narayan Singh Rana, former Uttarakhand Sports Minister and father of shooter Jaspal Rana. “At just 22 years old, she has accomplished something amazing. She is returning with Jaspal Rana, her coach. Jaspal, just like Abhinav Bindra, has been an enormous credit and a trailblazer (leader) in Indian shooting”, Narayan added.
What’s waiting for Manu Bhaker?
Penning down her name in the archives of Indian history, there are many brands and agencies queuing up to sign her for various endorsements.
Manu Bhaker used to charge INR 20-25 lakh per endorsement, but her fees have now reportedly increased 6-7 times. It is estimated that she recently finalized a few endorsements worth INR 1.5 crore.
“We have gotten about 40 queries. “Currently, we are concentrating on securing long-term partnerships. We have completed a number of sponsorship deals,” stated Neerav Tomar, CEO and MD of IOS Sports and Entertainment, the company that manages Bhaker.
Prior to leaving for India, Bhaker expressed her excitement for a grand welcome, and on arriving back here, she did not feel let down.
The young athlete was greeted with garlands, bouquets and joyous dhols, upon exiting the airport. Flower petals were showered on her and her coach Rana.
Naina Jaggi is an author deeply rooted in Journalism, mainly writing on lifestyle, entertainment, travel, politics and financial markets. This diverse experience has allowed her to blend rich details with engaging narratives that capture the essence of various worlds. When she is not crafting tales, you’ll find her immersed in music and enjoying the company of dogs. She is also into K-dramas, thriller and horror movies that fuel her imagination, bringing the same spark to her stories.
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