Manu Bhaker Celebrates Paris Triumph: Hails Coach Jaspal Rana as ‘Father Figure’ with Heartfelt Gratitude
Manu Bhaker, a double Olympic bronze medallist and esteemed shooter, spoke about her coach Jaspal Rana in a heartfelt interview with PTI. Bhaker described Rana, her mentor, as a “father figure” whose unwavering support and guidance proved instrumental in her recent success at the Paris Olympics 2024. Bhaker, who is 22, remarked, “I would say he’s like a father to me, and it’s a matter of trust that you put in a person.”
After securing two bronze medals at the Paris Olympics, Bhaker highlighted the encouragement she receives from Rana, especially during moments of doubt. Recalling her coach’s confidence-boosting methods, Bhaker mentioned that Rana’s tough love, including telling her, “you can do it, you trained for it,” bolstered her resolve.
Rana, reacting to Bhaker’s sentiments, humorously noted, “You have a controversy right here.” Manu Bhaker’s achievement marked a historic milestone, making her the first Indian athlete post-independence to win two bronze medals at the Summer Games in Paris. This victory was particularly significant, coming after a disappointing performance at the Tokyo Olympics where a weapon malfunction hindered her 10m air pistol qualification.
The dynamic duo’s return this year was marked by resilience and determination, overcoming past hurdles to carve a place in history. Reflecting on the Tokyo debacle, Bhaker asserted that no one was to blame, emphasizing the lessons learned in preparation, awareness, and the importance of mental and physical health.
Jaspal Rana, commenting on their renewed partnership, stated that they consciously avoided dwelling on past events. “When we started 14 months back, there was only one request from my side to her: that we will not discuss the past. We’ll start from here, and we’ll move forward,” Rana told PTI. He further emphasized his role as Bhaker’s protector, ensuring she remains shielded even from her self-doubts, alongside providing coaching expertise.
Original Story https://www.livemint.com/news/india/i-would-say-manu-bhaker-hails-coach-jaspal-rana-as-father-figure-after-paris-olympics-success-11724048231993.html
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