Mumbai: The country will cheer for Desh Ki Shaan Manu Bhaker, India’s trailblasing female shooter with two bronze medals who will sit on the iconic ‘hotseat’ of Sony Entertainment Television’s much loved reality quiz show, Kaun Banega Crorepati 16 on September 5.
Recounting her historic journey in the 2024 Paris Olympics and sharing her inspiring stories of perseverance and triumph, Manu will be seen alongside Aman Sehrawat, the youngest Indian to win an individual Olympic medal in wrestling in the celebratory KBC episode titled ‘Jeet Ka Jashn’.
In an emotional moment on Kaun Banega Crorepati, when asked her inspiration to get into sports, Manu revealed that her mother has been her greatest inspiration.
Reflecting on her childhood, Manu spoke about how her mother's constant support and encouragement played a pivotal role in shaping her career.
As a child, Manu was more focused on school athletics and believed that winning was the ultimate achievement. Her competitive spirit drove her to excel in various sports, and she would feel disheartened by losses.
As Manu grew older and learnt more about the Olympics, her aspirations evolved towards winning a Gold medal, a dream she continues to pursue.
Driven by a desire to become stronger, she chose shooting as her sport, a decision her mother supported wholeheartedly. Their deep bond highlights the profound impact of a mother’s love and belief, which has been a cornerstone of Manu’s journey to greatness.
Talking about her inspiration, Bharat Ki Beti - Manu shared, “My mom is my biggest inspiration. She always dreamed of being an athlete but never had the resources or support needed. Although she never thought about the levels she could reach as an athlete, she was very good at sports. She has always given me the freedom to pursue my interests, and even when I was scared, she would motivate me by saying, ‘Don’t worry, just play.’ In a way, it was her dream too, to see me where I am today. Her incredible support has been an inspiration for me."
"I believe that when a mother is strong, the daughter is definitely strong. And, later, I started watching Mary Kom ma’am and PV Sindhu didi, who also inspired me a lot, and that’s when I truly began to follow sports and my dream to reach the Olympics stage," she said.