New Delhi: Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker was awarded the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year award on Monday following her stellar show at the Paris Olympics 2024. The star pistol shooter scripted history at the Paris Games last year by becoming the first athlete in independent India to win two medals in a single edition of the Olympics.
The 22-year-old shooter won bronze medals in 10m air pistol individual and 10m air pistol mixed teams events at the Paris Olympics. Manu also became the first Indian female to win a medal in shooting at the Olympics. She was recently honoured with the prestigious Khel Ratna award, India’s highest sporting honour for her achievements at the Paris Olympics.
Manu was nominated for the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year award alongside Indian women’s cricket team star Smriti Mandhana, golfer Aditi Ashok, para shooter Avani Lekhara and wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who missed out on a medal at the Paris Olympics after being disqualified ahead of her final bout due to being slightly overweight.
Manu beat other nominees, who were all shortlisted by an eminent jury of sports journalists and writers, to clinch the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year award.
“I would like to thank BBC for this honour. Last time around, I got the Emerging Sportswoman of the Year Award. And a few years down the line, I made it to the Sportswoman of the Year Award…I hope that this inspires not just many women in our country but also all the athletes and all the people who have big dreams,” Bhaker said after receiving the award.
Tim Davie, BBC Director-General, presents Manu Bhaker with the Indian Sportswoman of the Year Award.
Bhaker says: ‘I would like to thank BBC for this honour. Last time around, I got the Emerging Sportswoman of the Year Award. And a few years down the line, I made it to the… pic.twitter.com/LDwTVb2HVP
— BBC News Press Team (@BBCNewsPR) February 17, 2025
Avani Lekhara wins BBC Para Sportswoman of the Year award
While Manu was awarded the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year award, para-shooter Avani Lekhara won the BBC Para Sportswoman of the Year award. Lekhara won a second consecutive gold medal in the 10m rifle event at the Paris Paralympics last year. She has won a total of three medals at the Paralympics – two gold and a bronze medal.
Meanwhile, former Indian women’s cricket team captain Mithali Raj was presented the BBC Lifetime Achievement Award. Indian para archer Sheetal Devi won the BBC Emerging Player of the Year award while chess player Tania Sachdev got the BBC Changemaker Award.
Indian shooter Manu Bhaker, who won two bronze medals at the Paris Olympics 2024, has won the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year award. Manu became the first athelete in Independent India to win two medals in a single edition of the Olympics. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
