Manu Bhaker walked out to lead the Indian contingent in Nagoya, but the ceremonial jacket wasn't hers. Neither were the shoes. Family sources revealed the Olympic bronze medallist had to borrow both items from a masseuse attached to the shooting team because the kit issued by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) simply didn't fit.
Her father, Ramkishan Bhaker, pointed to the footwear specifically. Manu wears a size 5. The shoes provided to her were either a 4 or a 6. "She borrowed the shoe fitting her size," Ramkishan told TOI. The jacket, according to family sources, was similarly ill-fitting, forcing the 23-year-old to rely on a teammate's spare attire for the high-profile moment.
The situation highlights a logistical gap in the IOA's preparation. Bhaker had initially expressed a desire to focus solely on her competition, with the pistol events kicking off Monday. It took persuasion from sports authorities and IOA staff in Nagoya to convince her to take on the flag-bearing role. She agreed, but the infrastructure to support that role failed to deliver the basic necessities.
Bhaker won two bronze medals at Paris 2024. Now, she is set to compete in the women’s 10m air pistol, women’s 25m pistol, and the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team. The borrowed kit is a small, awkward footnote to a major achievement. The real test begins on the range.