New Delhi, April 17 -- At the start of the 10m air pistol final at the World Cup in Lima, cameras panned on Manu Bhaker, easily the biggest name in the draw. Her face betrayed little emotion, barring a smile that she had dutifully practised in all her years of being in the spotlight.
Suruchi Phogat, her compatriot and competitor, was at the other end of the spectrum - raw, unrehearsed, spontaneous. Their shooting ended up being a reflection of their demeanour.
Bhaker shot with assured precision, but Phogat fired with the courage that youth begets. Five lanes apart, this was a contest within the contest, the young challenger eager to take down the veteran who happened to be the two-time Olympic medallist. Twenty four shots later, and for t...