Manu Bhaker dispels rumors on social media regarding her conversation with Neeraj Chopra in Paris

Manu Bhaker, one of India's standout performers at the Paris Olympics 2024, dismissed recent rumors circulating on social media regarding her interaction with fellow Olympian Neeraj Chopra before the event's closing ceremony. The speculation began after a video surfaced showing the two athletes, along with Manu's mother, chatting during a celebratory event in Paris. 

Manu Bhaker, who won two bronze medals at the Games, clarified the situation in an interview with News18, stating that the rumors had no basis. "I don't know much about it. I was not there when this happened. But since 2018, we have been meeting on the sidelines of events. We don't have that much interaction otherwise. During events, we talk a little. But there is no truth to the rumors that are going around," Manu explained.

Manu’s father, Kishan Bhaker, also weighed in on the matter, emphasizing that his daughter is focused on her career and not on personal matters such as marriage. "Manu is still very young. She is not even of marriageable age. Not even thinking about it right now," he told Dainik Bhaskar, further noting that Manu’s mother considers Neeraj like a son.

Both Manu Bhaker and Neeraj Chopra made India proud at the Paris Olympics with their stellar performances. Manu Bhaker clinched India's first medal at the Games by winning silver in the women's 10m air pistol event, ending a 12-year Olympic medal drought for Indian shooting. She also secured a bronze in the mixed 10m air pistol event alongside Sarabjot Singh, making her the first Indian athlete in the nation’s history to win multiple medals in a single edition of the Olympics. Her success marked a triumphant return after the Tokyo 2021 disappointment, where she faced criticism as the face of the shooting contingent's underperformance.

Neeraj Chopra, who already held the status of a national hero after winning gold in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, further cemented his legacy by securing a silver medal in the men's javelin throw at the Paris Games. Although he couldn’t defend his Olympic title, Neeraj delivered a remarkable performance with his second-best throw of 89.45 meters, finishing behind Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem. Following the Games, Neeraj traveled to Germany to seek medical advice for a lingering groin injury.

The accomplishments of both Manu Bhaker and Neeraj Chopra at the Paris Olympics have not only added to India's medal tally but have also solidified their status as two of the country’s most celebrated athletes.