Star Indian pistol shooter Manu Bhaker was elected the BBC’s best Indian woman player on Monday for his brilliant performance at the Paris Olympics. Manu was among the five people nominated for this award. Golfer Aditi Ashok, Para shooter Avni Lekhra, Indian women’s cricket team vice -captain Smriti Mandhana and wrestler Vinesh Phogat were also nominated for their extraordinary contribution.
A prestigious jury of sports journalists and writers selected nominees. This is the fifth session of this award given for remarkable achievements of women players in India.
Twenty -two -year -old Manu received the award for winning two bronze medals at the Paris Olympics. He is the first Indian player to win two medals in an Olympics since independence. He won the bronze medal in the 10m air pistol individual competition as well as 10 meter air pistol mixed team event.
Other award winners include Para Archer Sheetal Devi (BBC’s emerging player), former women’s cricket captain Mithali Raj (BBC Lifetime Achievement Award) and Para shooter Avni (BBC year’s best female para player). Chess player Tania Sachdev was awarded the BBC ‘Changemaker Award’.
Manu expressed his gratitude for this honor and mentioned his journey of Olympic success. Manu said, “I thank the BBC for honoring me. A few years ago I won the emerging player’s award and now I have received a big award this year. My travel was full of ups and downs.”
He said, “After Tokyo, I struggled a lot, lost many events but the journey did not end, it continued. You can only write your story and I did it in Paris. Now the journey will continue and I will continue the journey and I Los Angeles (2028 I would like to change the color of the medal in Olympics. “
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