Thang Ta Martial Arts Behind Manu Bhaker’s Success

Only a few people know who Manu Bhaker is before the Paris Olympics. But now no Indian needs an introduction to her. Winning an Olympic medal is prestigious. But the shooter won two medals. Everyone is talking about her post the Olympic glory. Now we have answers to questions like how she prepared for the Olympic games? What did she do for it? Shocking details have come out of her hard work.

Manipur Martial arts form Thang Ta played a key role in the shooter’s historic performance. Like Kerala’s Kalaripayattu thang ta is a Martial arts form from Manipur. Focusing on the target and preparing the body play a key role in this. When asked about her performance she gave a mind blowing answer.

I cannot think that I can give excuses for the bad performance as I am a woman. I took all the precautions to stay strong as a shooter. Practicing thang ta is one of them. Success as a shooter is not that easy. Success is assured only when we fight the pressure on the match day, she said.

Years together she worked hard to get strong physically and mentally. For mental training she did Yoga and Horse riding to be active. Hitting the bull’s eye is like making the horse run towards the target. If a Horse can be brought under control then it would be easy to control a pistol. With this she learnt Horse riding. She vigorously practiced thang ta. The first thing one learns in thang ta is to leave the ego and follow the Guru. Swords and spears are used in the martial arts form. Immense discipline, honesty and respect are dubbed as key in the form.

In the past every man used to learn thang ta and later women also started learning it. It is a national level sport now. People want the form to be recognised by the Olympics in the future. This art form teaches one thing the more you practice the more humble one becomes.Manu Bhaker practiced it and changed herself. Her coach Jaspal Rana played a pivotal role behind her success. Learning from the Guru is accepting their greatness and Manu followed that from a young age. Thang ta also played its role.

On the other hand Manu Bhaker would take a break from her practice. Speaking to a national media outlet the Shooter said that she will take a three month break and focus on her interests.

She said that she would practice her hobbies like horse riding, skating, Bharatnatyam and violin in the three month break. Manu Bhaker said she got time for Martial Arts to.

Photos Courtesy: Instagram