NEW DELHI: Olympic medallists
Manu Bhaker
and
Mary Kom
enjoyed a heartwarming reunion on Thursday, offering a glimpse into their camaraderie off the field.
Bhaker, who recently clinched two bronze medals, one in individual and the other in mixed event, in shooting at the
Paris Olympics
2024, shared photos of the encounter on social media.
Bhaker also expressed her willingness to plan a workout session together with the
boxing legend
.
Currently on a three-month break to recover from a hand injury, Bhaker expressed her delight at catching up with the boxing legend. "It was great catching up with you didi Mary Kom, and talking about the
Olympics
and more... Thank you for your wishes and blessings and let’s plan a workout session soon!" she posted, alongside images of the two athletes sharing a warm embrace.
Mary Kom, initially slated to be India's Chef-de-Mission for the Paris Olympics before withdrawing due to personal commitments, has been a constant source of inspiration for young athletes like Bhaker.
The break from competitive shooting provides Bhaker with an opportunity to explore other passions.
A former karate enthusiast, she has publicly admitted that she would like to re-engage with martial arts and pursue hobbies like horse riding, skating, and fitness.
She also intends to resume Bharatnatyam classes, which were hampered by her rigorous training schedule in France.
This break, however, will likely see Bhaker miss the upcoming
Shooting World Cup
scheduled in New Delhi from October 13th to 18th.
Nevertheless, the reunion of these two sporting icons underlines the strong bonds forged within the Indian Olympic fraternity.