There were times I really wanted to give up

INTERVIEW - MANU BHAKER, DOUBLE OLYMPIC BRONZE-WINNING SHOOTER

- SALIL BERA AND NILADRY SARKAR

Q. How did you feel when you won the two bronze medals in Paris?

A/ When I got the first medal, I was confused if I should be happy I got the bronze medal for India, or if I should be sad I missed the fight for gold by 0.1. But then I thought it's better to smile and accept it, and focus on the next event. The second one, yes, I was very happy because it was either you win bronze or you lose (there are separate bronze and gold medal matches in the team events).

Q/ How did you feel when you missed the hat-trick?

A/ For the 25m [pistol] event, we had really worked hard and were positive. I was definitely expecting a medal, but you never know how things turn out.

Q/ From heartbreak in Tokyo 2020 to history in Paris 2024, how did you keep yourself motivated?

A/ Keeping yourself motivated when you are in a low phase can be challenging. There were times when I really wanted to give up. I was so tired of doing the same thing every day. I had all these thoughts: negative, positive, everything in my head. But I just kept reminding myself, "Slow and steady wins the race. Just keep going through. Just for one more cycle, just till the Paris Olympics, just give it your best. And when you look back after Paris is over, you do not want to regret anything."

Then I met Jaspal sir again and we started to work together. That was also the time he was very confident in me. I was also able to feel that confidence within me coming back. My mom was a pillar of strength for me these three years. She has gone through everything with me. She was with me in almost every domestic match. She was there when I was not doing well. She was there when I performed brilliantly.

Q/ What did you do in those three years to make yourself stronger from inside? You not winning in Tokyo was a surprise.