Sound of Silence: Being disconnected with Saurabh is secret of our pair's success, says Manu

Communication is key aspect in a team sport but Manu Bhaker believes that remaining "disconnected" with partner Saurabh Chaudhary has been the key to their golden run in four successive World Cups.

The teenagers will be gunning for a podium finish at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics having already booked a quota place for the country.

"We are not very connected. We are two very different things (individuals)," the 17-year-old Manu told PTI when asked about her recipe of success having won her fourth mixed World Cup gold in Rio de Janeiro, last week.

At 17, one is free from fear of failure which is a common thread binding the teenage duo as they simply like to concentrate on their individual performances.

"We don't talk much. We are both on our own. We just focus on our individual performance. He doesn't give much thought on my performance and neither do I think about his. I think that makes us fearless and we shoot for ourselves and perhaps because of that, we are doing well," Manu explained.

Manu will be among the 14 Indian shooters, who will represent the country at the year-ending World Cup Finals, scheduled to be held in Putian, China between November 17 and 23.

"I thought I will not be selected for World Cup final as I didn't win any individual medals this year. I won all the mixed team gold with Saurabh. So it was unexpected but now that I have been selected, I am so happy and excited to go for the World Finals. I will work hard to do well," she said.

Last year, Manu had won a series of gold medals, which include the Guadalajara World Cup, Commonwealth Games and the Youth Olympics at Buenos Aires.

There were also disappointments in store when she suffered a pistol malfunction during the 25m Rapid Fire pistol final at the Munich World Cup, forcing her to forfeit.

She also returned empty handed from the Asian Games after participating in three events -- mixed, 25m air pistol and 10m air pistol. Interestingly, Manu had Games record at the Asiad in Palembang, with a record score of 593 in the qualification round of 25m Air pistol event.

"I think it is like a heart beat. It goes up and down and it is all part of life. The malfunction at Munich World Cup that was one moment where I felt very low. It was like someone took (snatched) away the medal in-front of my eyes. It was heartbreaking," said Manu, who had secured a quota in the 10m pistol event after disappointment in 25m rapid fire pistol at Munich.

"Another such low moment was the Asian Games, I was fifth in the final and it was very upsetting. I had high expectations from myself and everything fall apart. Jaspal sir helped me during that phase."
"I will just continue what I have been doing. It is basically all about improving the technique and physical fitness."