14 october 2024 : Manu Bhaker, currently in the limelight for her achievements at the Paris 2024 Olympics, showcased her glamorous side as the showstopper for Marks and Spencer at Lakme Fashion Week in Delhi. Dressed in a sleek, sleeveless black bodycon dress, she turned heads while elegantly walking the runway. Bhaker also struck a signature shooting pose, reminiscent of her Olympic triumphs, which quickly went viral on social media.
However, the moment attracted some trolls, prompting mixed reactions online. Defending her, one fan commented, “You deserve all of this and more. It’s strange to see people criticize her for the attention she’s receiving. Compared to what cricketers earn for their achievements, this is still nothing. Wishing you all the success; make the country proud!”
In response to her critics, the 22-year-old took to her post’s comments section, expressing gratitude for the positive feedback and acknowledging the haters. She stated, “Wow, thank you for the kind words. And yes, I see quite a few haters. I just want to say, don’t limit yourself; make your life grand, your career shine, and your parents proud. Haters will hate, lovers will love—focus on your own journey. There are no shortcuts, but why take the easy path when challenges strengthen you? Cheers!”
At the Paris Olympics, Bhaker won two bronze medals: one in the women’s 10m air pistol event, making her the first Indian female shooter to medal at the Olympics, and another in the mixed 10m air pistol team event alongside Sarabjot Singh. She became the first Indian since independence to win two medals at a single Olympic Games.