Manu Bhaker's father shuts down marriage rumours: Neeraj Chopra is like a son to Manu’s mother

NEW DELHI: Ram Kishan Bhaker, father of Manu Bhaker, has responded to the online buzz surrounding a video of his wife, Sumedha Bhaker, conversing with Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra. The footage sparked a flurry of memes and posts, with many jokingly speculating that Sumedha was assessing Chopra's suitability as a potential match for her daughter.

In response to the viral content, Ram Kishan Bhaker has clarified their stance on the matter. He emphasised that Manu is "still too young" and that the family is "not thinking of her marriage" at this point in time. The Bhaker family's focus remains on supporting Manu's athletic career and personal growth.



What did Manu Bhaker's father Ram Kishan Bhaker say?
Ram Kishan, while speaking to Dainik Bhaskar, stressed that his daughter Manu is far too young to be thinking about marriage at her current stage of life. "Manu is still very young. She is not even of marriageable age. Not even thinking about it right now," he asserted, putting to rest any rumours or speculation regarding her future plans.

When asked about the recent viral video featuring his wife and Neeraj Chopra, Ram Kishan provided clarity on the nature of their relationship. He stated, "Manu's mother considers Neeraj like her son," emphasising the familial bond and affection that exists between them, rather than suggesting any romantic involvement.

Neeraj Chopra's uncle on marriage speculation
Manu Bhaker's father was not alone in addressing the widespread rumours. Neeraj Chopra's uncle also shared his thoughts on the matter. He said, "Just as Neeraj brought the medal, the entire country got to know about it. Similarly, when he marries, then everyone will know."

The families of both athletes have made it clear that any significant events in their lives, such as Neeraj's potential marriage, would be public knowledge, just as his Olympic victory was celebrated by the entire nation.

Manu Bhaker and Neeraj Chopra, both natives of Haryana, have made significant contributions to Indian sports. Manu has established herself as the most accomplished female shooter in the nation's history. On the other hand, Neeraj, a javelin prodigy, etched his name in the annals of Indian athletics by securing an unprecedented Olympic gold medal at the Tokyo Games.

At the recently concluded 2024 Paris Olympics, Manu Bhaker achieved a historic feat by winning a bronze medal in the women's 10m air pistol event. This accomplishment marked a significant milestone, as she became the first Indian woman shooter to stand on the Olympic podium.

Neeraj Chopra, the gold medalist from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, secured a silver medal in the current Olympics. Despite his best effort of 89.45m, which was his only valid throw out of six attempts, Chopra expressed dissatisfaction with his performance.

"It was a good throw but I'm not that happy with my performance today," Neeraj remarked following the competition. He further elaborated on his technique and approach, stating, "My technique and runway was not that good. (I managed) only one throw, the rest I fouled."