It's a real letdown when achievements like Manu Bhaker's get pushed into the background. Bhaker, a prominent guest at an event, was asked about young cricketer Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, despite no real connection between their sporting paths. This imbalance in recognising success across different sports is a reflection of cricket's dominance in India.
Bhaker's feat of winning multiple medals at a single Olympics is a true benchmark of composure at the highest level. Her achievements in the Paris Olympics 2024, including a bronze in the women's 10m air pistol event and a bronze in the 10m mixed team air pistol, have earned her widespread praise.
However, the narrative took an unfortunate turn when Bhaker found herself at the centre of social media speculation about her relationship with Neeraj Chopra. Harmless interactions were blown out of proportion, diverting attention from her remarkable sporting milestone.
Now, with her back in the news, it's because of a question about Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. It's frustrating for an athlete who has worked so hard for her medals to find the conversation shifting elsewhere, once again showing how cricket's massive popularity often buries achievements in other sports.
