Manu Bhaker Wins BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year 2024 Award
Manu Bhaker won the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year award in 2024, marking a significant achievement in her career as an Olympic shooter. The award, celebrating Indian female athletes, had notable nominees including Aditi Ashok and Avani Lekhara. Other accolades were presented to sheetal devi as Emerging Athlete of the Year and Mithali Raj for Lifetime Achievement, underscoring the contributions of women in Indian sports.
In 2024, Manu Bhaker, an Olympic medal-winning shooter, earned the prestigious BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year award. The annual award, organized by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), celebrates the accomplishments of Indian female athletes across various sports over the previous year. This year’s event marked the fifth edition of the award, with a panel of esteemed Indian sports journalists and experts initially nominating candidates before public voting chose the winner.
At only 22 years old, Manu Bhaker made history at the Paris 2024 Olympics by becoming the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal in shooting. She won a bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol event and followed it with a second bronze in the mixed 10m air pistol event alongside Sarabjot Singh. This achievement made her the first Indian to secure two medals at a single Olympic Games since India’s independence.
“I have had a journey of ups and downs. I hope I can inspire women, all athletes and people with big dreams. Your journey doesn’t end if you are struggling. You write your own story,” Bhaker stated. Apart from Bhaker, this year’s nominees included golfer Aditi Ashok, para-shooter Avani Lekhara, cricketer Smriti Mandhana, and wrestler Vinesh Phogat. Notably, Bhaker had previously been honored as the BBC’s ISWOTY Emerging Athlete of the Year in 2020.
Historical winners of the award include badminton star PV Sindhu in 2019, chess player Koneru Humpy in 2020, and weightlifter Mirabai Chanu, who took the title in both 2021 and 2022. There was no awarding ceremony held in 2023. Avani Lekhara received the title of Indian Para-sportswoman of the Year for 2024 after becoming the first Indian woman to win three Paralympic medals, including a gold at the recent Games.
The Emerging Athlete of the Year was awarded to para-archer Sheetal Devi, recognizing her as India’s youngest Paralympic medallist at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Additionally, former Indian women’s cricket team captain Mithali Raj was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, celebrating her record tenure leading the team from 2004 to 2022, making her the longest-serving captain in international cricket history.
The BBC Awards for 2024 featured key winners such as:
– BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year: Manu Bhaker (shooting)
– BBC Emerging Player of the Year: Sheetal Devi (archery)
– Lifetime Achievement: Mithali Raj (cricket)
– Indian Para-sportswoman of the Year: Avani Lekhara (shooting)
In summary, Manu Bhaker’s recognition as the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year for 2024 underscores her trailblazing achievements in sports. Her historic Olympic victories established her as a role model for aspiring athletes. The awards ceremony also highlighted the remarkable accomplishments of other distinguished athletes, including Avani Lekhara, Sheetal Devi, and Mithali Raj, celebrating the excellence of Indian women in sports.
Original Source: olympics.com
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