shot-button
Olympic 2024 Olympic 2024
Home > Sports News > Other Sports News > Article > Manu wants to horse around

Manu wants to horse around!

Updated on: 17 August,2024 07:45 AM IST  |  New Delhi
PTI |

Double Olympic medal-winning shooter Bhaker plans to indulge in hobbies like horse riding, violin, Bharatnatyam and skating during three-month break; coach Jaspal Rana insists on rest for injured shooting arm

Manu wants to horse around!

Manu Bhaker with horse ride (right) playing the violin

Her shooting hand bruised by repeated pistol recoils during unrelenting training, Manu Bhaker will take a well deserved three-month break. But it won’t be a vacation. The double Olympic medallist will continue her other routines including yoga and waking up at 6 am — which she hates. And she also plans to catch up on her hobbies — horse riding, skating, Bharatnatyam and violin practice to name a few. Bhaker, 22, who won bronze medals in the 10m air pistol and 10m air pistol mixed team (partnering Sarabjot Singh) was at PTI headquarters on Friday along with her coach and shooting great Jaspal Rana for an interaction.


Proudly flaunting her medals, the vivacious youngster from Haryana’s Jhajjar spoke about her Paris preparations, how the Tokyo setback is nothing more than a distant memory now, and also her plans to indulge in everything that she put on hold for her Olympic dreams. “Now, I have some time off and I can probably do that [martial arts] again. I was unable to get that kind of time to invest in that [martial arts],” said Bhaker, a karate kid in her teens before a change of heart led her to shooting.


Manu Bhaker in skating mode (right) Manu Bhaker practising martial arts. Pics/Manu Bhaker Family collection
Manu Bhaker in skating mode (right) Manu Bhaker practising martial arts. Pics/Manu Bhaker Family collection


“Finally, I can take time off for my hobbies, and I have many, many hobbies. Horse riding... personally, I love horse riding, skating, I can still manage on the roads, then fitness, I really enjoy working out. Then, I have dance [as a hobby] also. I’m learning Bharatnatyam. I love the dance form. When I was training in France, I couldn’t get time and couldn’t cope up with the [Bharatnatyam] classes,” said Bhaker, whose trainer is from Tamil Nadu.

Also Read: 'Preparations are on': PM Modi envisions 2036 Olympics in India

As she kept revealing the details of her hobbies, coach Rana had a faint smile on his face and also shook his head in disapproval at the very mention of horse riding. “Skating and horse riding are things she should not be doing and she’ll be responsible for whatever happens. Who rides a horse thinking that they will fall?” he said

A bemused Bhaker, not going to back down easily, replied: “I have been learning horse riding for some time now. I was waiting to get back to horse riding after the Olympics. I want to do so many other things, like skydiving, scuba diving. I’ve waited so long,” added Bhaker, inviting another shake of the head from Rana, who believes the break was to only ensure that the youngster’s shooting hand is back to full fitness.

Coach Jaspal RanaCoach Jaspal Rana

“This [pointing to her injured hand] is the reason we are making her rest for three months. Because this [injury] has been there for the last eight months and it has not healed. So rest is mandatory for the hand, and we had decided much before the World Cup [Final was awarded to New Delhi],” added Rana. Bhaker had played the national anthem on a violin, gifted to her by her brother, and after her Paris win, this video went viral. “Yes, I managed to play something on the violin, but I’m only into the basics,” she concluded.

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!

Register for FREE
to continue reading !

This is not a paywall.
However, your registration helps us understand your preferences better and enables us to provide insightful and credible journalism for all our readers.

Mid-Day Web Stories

Mid-Day Web Stories

This website uses cookie or similar technologies, to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalised recommendations. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. OK