Manu Bhaker and Saurabh Chaudhary were eliminated in the 10m air pistol event both in singles and mixed as India’s shooters failed to win a medal in Tokyo Olympics 2020.
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Before the start of the Tokyo Olympics 2020, there was a lot riding on the shooting contingent. The likes of Saurabh Chaudhary and Manu Bhaker had performed brilliantly in the lead-up to Tokyo Olympics 2020. Chaudhary had won the 2018 Asian Games gold while Manu was super impressive. In the mixed team events, Chaudhary and Manu had managed to win five out of six tournaments, securing the top prize. There was hope that at last, India might overhaul their tally of two medals won in Rio 2016.
Manu Bhaker even featured in an ad before the Olympics that showed that India was ready for the Olympics. But, the Olympics is a stage where big pressure takes a massive toll. Years of practice is sometimes not enough to overcome the psychological hurdle that has plagued India’s Olympians for a very long time. But, in a modern and assertive India, all these factors seemingly did not come into the picture.
Chaudhary was the first individual to have given 1.3 billion Indian reason to smile. He had topped the Olympic qualifiers with 586 out of 600. Imagine, an Indian topping the Olympic qualifiers. His shooting on that day was on a different level. 23 straight 10s meant that Chaudhary was in the zone. But, when the stakes shifted to the medal situation, the pressure got to Chaudhary. He did not find the target and ended up seventh as he missed out on a medal.
An Olympic gold or medal on debut at the age of 20! Keep these thoughts until later. The focus is now on Manu Bhaker. At such a young age, she was already carrying the hopes of a billion people. But, in the case of Manu, she was first the recipient of bad luck. Her weapon malfunctioned in the 10m air pistol event. She lost crucial time, meaning she had to take more shots in less time.
Shooters have to take into account plenty of things. The body alignment, the focus, the conditions, the perfect focus and time management. The weapon is trusted to deliver the goods, backed by skills. But, when the weapon does not function well, all those factors are thrown out of the window.
One can forgive Manu for the weapons malfunction. It is not her fault and was a case of incredible bad luck. Consider this, in Rio 2016, Bindra had to hastily fix a special sight after the table in which he had placed his rifle on collapsed. But, in the 10m air pistol mixed event with Chaudhary, the big match pressure got to her. Once again, Chaudhary and Manu managed to top the first stage of qualification. But, in the second, with the stakes even higher, Manu lost her composure.
This was bound to happen, considering that she is young and in her first Olympics. An Olympic gold or medal on debut at the age of 20. It was like expecting a Maruti 800 to serve like a Formula One car. When one does not have the experience of combating big match pressure, this was bound to happen. Very few secure an Olympic medal on debut. They came close to a medal but stumbled when push came to shove.
The criticism does not even take into account the factors that they had to contend. Ignore age! Ignore experience. But, the simple task of facing up to massive pressure. At this point in time, India’s sportsmen cannot counter big match pressure. Cricket is also included in this. Shooting is a game of fine margins. One slip-up can lead to catastrophe. Manu and Saurabh found that out the hard way.
Whatever had to go wrong did go wrong. The weapons malfunction in Manu’s case did not help. But, Saurabh came close twice and that represents big improvement. Had he won the medal, the whole world would have been at his feet. But, time is the ultimate healer. Paris 2024 can prove to be the making of Manu and Saurabh. One hopes that India’s authorities pay heed.
Yes, the disappointment is immense. It is agreed that the expectations have come crashing down and it is a natural instinct. But, without understanding the nuances, trolling and criticism for the heck of it is not warranted. Sadly, that is how the Indian psyche operates.
