Manu Bhaker, who earned two bronze medals at the Paris Olympics, thanked fans, coaches and the sporting community after being honored at a special Indian Olympic Association (IOA) ceremony in New Delhi. The event, held on Monday at the Taj Mansingh Hotel, brought together Olympic legends, government officials and sponsors to celebrate India’s medal‑winning athletes.
“In that moment, it was just… amazing,” Bhaker told . “All the hard work you put down, and seeing people recognize it—it lifts you up and fuels you to keep going.” She won a bronze in the women’s 10 m air pistol and another bronze with teammate Sarabjot Singh in the mixed‑team 10 m air pistol event.
The IOA rewarded all medalists and their coaches with cash prizes. Bhaker received a ₹50 lakh award for her individual bronze and ₹25 lakh as part of the ₹50 lakh team prize she shared with Singh. In total, the shooter earned ₹87.5 lakh. Other recipients included Neeraj Chopra, who got ₹75 lakh, Swapnil Kusale and Aman Sehrawat each ₹50 lakh, while the men’s hockey team received ₹10 lakh for the main squad and ₹5 lakh for reserve players.
Taj Mansingh’s grand hall was filled with dignitaries: IOA President P.T. Usha, Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya, and senior government officials. The ceremony highlighted the athletes’ achievements and the CI’s commitment to supporting Indian boxers.
After Paris, Sarabjot Singh spoke about his renewed focus on mental training. “I’m putting a lot of emphasis on yoga, meditation and breathing techniques,” he said. “Strengthening my mental health is now a top priority.”
The IOC event celebrated a proud moment for India, honoring athletes like Bhaker and Chopra while spotlighting the growing emphasis on mental and physical preparation for future championships.
Source: ianslive
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