27 bullseyes propel Manu Bhaker to Paris Olympics final

Paris: With an impressive 27 bullseyes, India's ace shooter Manu Bhaker on Saturday secured her place in the women’s 10m Air Pistol finals at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Bhaker finished third in the qualification round with 580 points, demonstrating remarkable precision throughout her six series.

Her scores of 97, 97, 98, 96, 96, and 96 kept her consistently at the top. Bhaker's performance was highlighted by her flawless shooting, with the lowest position being a six. Her outstanding start, including a perfect 97 in the first series and a strong 292/300 at the halfway point, set the stage for her top-three finish.

This qualification marks a pivotal moment for Bhaker, who is seeking redemption after finishing 12th in the same event at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. She will now compete for the gold medal at 3:30 PM IST tomorrow, with Indian fans eagerly awaiting her performance.

In contrast, Rhythm Sangwan did not advance to the final, finishing 15th with a score of 573-14x. Despite a solid start with a score of 97, Sangwan struggled with inconsistency, including a low 92 in the second series, which hindered her progress.

Bhaker will be the focus of attention as she prepares for the final, aiming to clinch a medal and enhance her reputation as one of the world’s top shooters. The top eight qualifiers, including Hungary's Veronika Major, will vie for the gold medal in the final.