'Still I Rise’ – A Tattoo That Inspired Manu Bhaker to Clinch an Olympic Medal in Paris

By Saurabh Duggal

Indian shooter Manu Bhaker, who faced a challenging 2020 Tokyo Olympics with a pistol malfunction and dismissal performance, has turned to inspiration in the form of a ‘Still I Rise’ tattoo on her neck. This moivational quote helped her rise to the top and clinch a bronze medal in the 10m air pistol event at the 2024 Paris Olympics, becoming the first Indian woman shooter to win an Olympic medal.

The phrase ‘Still I Rise’ is taken from Maya Angelou’s poem, which symbolizes resilience and overcoming adversity. For Manu Bhaker, this tattoo represents her journey through setbacks and her determination to succeed despite past failures. “Success and failure are part and parcel of a sportsperson's life. The key is how you handle the downfall and prepare yourself to bounce back,” Manu had said during the Aryan Mann Foundation event held in Chandigarh last year.

Bhaker’s career includes a notable rise, winning gold in the 10m air pistol at the 2018 Commonwealth Games at just 16, and accumulating nine gold and two silver medals in World Cups before Tokyo. However, her performance in Tokyo was disappointing, with issues in her favorite 10m air pistol event and the mixed-team event, and she failed to make the finals in the 25m pistol event. The aftermath saw criticism and a loss of her national squad position.

Despite this, Bhaker's perseverance saw her win a bronze in the 25m pistol at a World Cup earlier this year and medals in team categories at the World Championships in 2022 and 2023. “When you are down, the key is never to give up and stay consistent in your hard work,” she advised.

Bhaker revealed she had planned the tattoo for some time but chose the back of her neck to keep it private yet personal. “Tokyo is the past; ‘Still I Rise’ is my motivation to keep moving forward,” she said, reflecting on her Olympic success and ongoing aspirations.