Manu Bhaker on Khel Ratna furore

Bhaker said her aim is to perform for the country whether she gets an award or not.

“Awards and recognition keeps me motivated but are not my goal,” she asserted.

“Irrespective of the award I shall remain motivated to win more medals for my country. It is a request to everyone, please do not speculate on this,” she said.

This was after her personal Jaspal Rana and father Ramkishan Bhaker lambasted the sports ministry and the selection committee for overlooking her despite her monumental achievements.

The youngster is the first athlete from independent India to win two medals in a single edition of the Olympics.

She won her bronze medals in the 10m air pistol individual and 10m air pistol mixed team (with Sarabjot Singh) events in Paris.