ROHTAK, India — The Indian sporting fraternity is mourning alongside Olympic heroine Manu Bhaker today, following the news that her 84-year-old grandmother, Daya Kaur, passed away at a private hospital in Rohtak on Tuesday.
The loss marks a profound personal blow for the double-Olympic medallist, who has spent the last year riding the highest waves of professional achievement while navigating significant private and professional turbulence. Kaur, who had been struggling with age-related health complications, was hospitalized after experiencing sudden chest pain, ultimately succumbing to her ailments despite medical intervention.
A Legacy of Love and Support
Daya Kaur was more than just a family matriarch; she was a fixture in Manu Bhaker’s life and a pillar of the emotional foundation that allowed the young shooter to reach the pinnacle of global sports. Those close to the family describe a deeply intimate bond, one built on the simple, grounding traditions of village life. Among the most cherished memories was Kaur’s penchant for pampering her granddaughter, often preparing traditional homemade choorma for the athlete—a humble, comforting contrast to the high-pressure environment of international shooting ranges.
Kaur’s pride in her granddaughter’s historic ascent was well-documented. During the recent Paris Olympics, where Bhaker etched her name into the history books by becoming the first Indian athlete since independence to secure two medals in a single edition of the Games, Kaur watched every shot with bated breath from their ancestral home. Her joy at Bhaker’s success was described by family as immense, serving as a beacon of warmth for the shooter amidst the global glare of media attention.
Navigating a Turbulent Season
The passing of her grandmother is the latest chapter in a challenging few months for the 22-year-old shooter. Bhaker has been dealing with the aftermath of a high-profile professional setback involving her longtime coach, Jaspal Rana, which has created a complex training landscape for the athlete.
At the time the news broke, Bhaker was in the midst of an intensive training camp in Bhopal, fine-tuning her technique in preparation for the upcoming Asian Games. The shock of the news necessitated an immediate departure. According to family sources, Bhaker is currently making the journey back to her native village in Rohtak to be with her kin and to pay her final respects.
The logistics of the family’s support system have been stretched thin, with members scattered across the country due to career and personal commitments. While her mother was in Bhopal providing support during the training camp and her father, Mahendra Bhaker, was in Ahmedabad, an aunt was present at the hospital in Rohtak during Kaur’s final hours. The family is now reuniting in the village to perform the last rites, which are scheduled for Wednesday.
An Uncertain Path Forward
For an elite athlete, the margin between focus and distraction is razor-thin. Bhaker’s professional schedule is grueling; the Indian shooting contingent is currently slated to depart for the Asian Games on September 15. Whether this bereavement will necessitate an adjustment to her training schedule or travel plans remains to be seen.
Athletes are often perceived as superhuman, capable of compartmentalizing personal grief to deliver on the podium. However, the loss of a grandmother—someone who provided the emotional sustenance required to endure the rigors of professional shooting—is a weight that extends far beyond the firing line.
As the shooting community offers its condolences, the focus remains on Bhaker’s well-being. The road to the Asian Games is arduous, but for the next few days, the targets and technical scores are secondary. The young star, who brought so much joy to a nation just weeks ago in Paris, now faces the difficult task of honoring the woman who was, in many ways, her first and most loyal fan.
The village of Rohtak will hold the final rites on Wednesday, bringing closure to a life that witnessed history and provided the quiet love that allowed a young girl from Haryana to become an Olympic legend. For now, the shooting world waits in respectful silence as Bhaker takes the necessary time to mourn, reflect, and gather the strength of a family that has long been her greatest source of resilience.
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