“Manu teaches you to never lose hope”- Sonam Maskar expresses adulation for Manu Bhaker after silver medal win at the ISSF World Cup Final 2024

Young shooter Sonam Maskar has now got bigger wings to fly after winning the silver medal at ISSF World Cup Final 2024. The 22-year-old finished second in the women's 10m air rifle final in Delhi on October 15. For Sonam, the win is a special one as it puts her on a path to greater glory in the coming future.

Though Maskar is proud of her performance, she is also equally proud of the path her compatriot Manu Bhaker has set for young shooters. Sonam feels that Bhaker's success at the Paris Olympics is a learning for all other sporspersons to 'never lose hope'.

Sonam Maskar spoke to Sportskeeda after her podium finish at the ISSF World Cup Final. She said:

"When as an athlete you win a medal at such a platform, it gives you a feeling that you belong. I feel Manu is instrumental in inspiring me and others. Her success teaches you to never lose hope. That nothing in life comes easy. You just need to keep working hard and one day all your dreams will come true."

The Maharashtra-born shooter expressed how her medal at the World Cup has instilled even more confidence in her. She also opened up on her dreams for the future.

"It is a different kind of confidence that this win has given me. I believe if I can do it here then I can definitely win on bigger stages as well. The dream is to succeed at the upcoming National Games. From there Asian Games and then the Olympics is the ultimate dream."

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I watched the Paris Olympics as a learning tutorial, says Sonam Maskar

The Paris Olympics 2024 surely captured the imagination of all Indians especially when it came to the success in shooting. However for Sonam Maskar, the Summer Games were more a learning tutorial than a spectacle.

"I watched the Olympics with a different vision. That of wanting to learn from those who are performing there. Though, I might not be a part, I can still try and pick up on skills that I can then implement in my training. There was a lot that I have learnt fom the success of the shooter's in Paris."

Sonam Maskar has proven that she has the potential that shall take her to great heights in shooting. The budding talent will hope to achieve further laurels for the country at upcoming events.