HospitalityNews Congratulates Manu Bhaker for Historic Bronze at Paris 2024 Olympics

HospitalityNews Congratulates Manu Bhaker for Historic Bronze at Paris 2024 Olympics

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 30, 2024

HospitalityNews is thrilled to congratulate Manu Bhaker on her outstanding achievement at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Manu Bhaker made history by winning the bronze medal in the women’s 10m air pistol event, becoming the first Indian woman to win an Olympic shooting medal.

This victory is India’s fifth Olympic medal in shooting and the first medal in any sport at Paris 2024. Manu Bhaker’s score of 221.7 in the eight-woman final secured her place on the podium. Oh Ye Jin of the Republic of Korea clinched the gold medal with a new Olympic record of 243.2, followed by her compatriot Yeji Kim, who won silver with a score of 241.3.

Manu Bhaker's performance was exceptional. She started the final strongly, scoring 50.4 in the first series and holding her position among the top competitors throughout the event. Despite a few setbacks, she demonstrated resilience and skill, ultimately securing the bronze medal.

Reflecting on her achievement, Manu Bhaker said, "I just put all my effort into staying in the moment until the last second, just not giving up and keep trying harder and harder. You have to hold yourself together, because that’s what all the hard work is for. Although the competition was neck-and-neck and I lost silver by .1, I’m still very grateful to win bronze for my country.”

In the same event at Tokyo 2020, Manu Bhaker was well on course to qualify for the final but a pistol malfunction stole her six precious minutes and she fell just two points short of making the final.

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Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore won India’s first Olympic medal in shooting with a silver at Athens 2004 in the men’s double trap. Abhinav Bindra won India’s only gold medal in shooting in the men’s 10m air rifle at Beijing 2008. Gagan Narang (men’s 10m air rifle) and Vijay Kumar (men’s 25m rapid fire pistol) won silver and bronze, respectively, at the London 2012 Games.

On Saturday, Manu Bhaker stormed into the final of the women’s 10m air pistol event after finishing third in the qualifying round. She thus became the first Indian woman to make an Olympic shooting final in 20 years. Hungary’s Veronika Major, who topped the qualifying round, was the first to get eliminated in the final.

Manu Bhaker will also compete in the 10m air pistol mixed team event on Monday and the women’s 25m pistol event, scheduled to start on Friday. She is the only athlete from the 21-member Indian shooting team to participate in multiple individual events.

Earlier in the day, Ramita Jindal and Arjun Babuta qualified for the finals in the women’s 10m air rifle and the men's 10m air rifle events, respectively. The 20-year-old Ramita, who won bronze at the Asian Games last year, shot 631.5 to finish fifth in the qualifying round. The top eight shooters in the men’s and the women’s events qualified for the finals. South Korea’s Hyojin Ban topped the qualification round with the Games’ record of 634.5. Elavenial Valarivan, who finished 10th with a score of 630.7, started well but 103.8 in the sixth series saw her miss out on the qualification by a margin of 0.6 points.

In the men's 10m air rifle shooting event, Arjun Babuta scored 630.1 in the qualification series for seventh place. Sandeep Singh finished 12th with 629.3 points and missed out.

HospitalityNews is immensely proud of Manu Bhaker’s historic achievement and wishes her continued success in her future endeavors. Congratulations, Manu!


Atmosphere Core Appoints Three New General Managers Across Its Maldives Resorts

Atmosphere Core Appoints Three New General Managers Across Its Maldives Resorts

By Hariharan U

Published on December 2, 2025

Atmosphere Core, one of South Asia’s leading hospitality names with strong expansion plans across Asia and Europe, has announced the appointment of three new General Managers across its well-known Maldives resorts under Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts and COLOURS OF OBLU. The move reflects the company’s growing focus on seamless operations, consistent brand experiences and innovation in guest engagement.

Under the Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts portfolio, Mr Maurice Van Den Bosch assumes leadership at VARU by Atmosphere, while Mr Mario Stanic takes charge as General Manager at RAAYA by Atmosphere. Within the COLOURS OF OBLU brand, Mr Brett Craig Castleman joins as the new General Manager of OBLU SELECT Sangeli.

Mario Stanic, who steps into his role at RAAYA by Atmosphere, brings an international career shaped by over 30 years of experience across luxury resorts in the Maldives, Indian Ocean, Europe, the Middle East and APAC. Known for reimagining guest journeys with emotion-led hospitality, he blends creative thinking with strong operational discipline. “True hospitality is about emotion. It’s the feeling guests take home. My aim is to craft moments that resonate, driven by teamwork and genuine care,” says Mario.

Joining VARU by Atmosphere, Maurice Van Den Bosch brings over 25 years of global experience across the Maldives, Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. His easy-going, collaborative leadership style reflects his Australian roots, and he is widely recognised within Atmosphere Core for his ability to translate strategy into consistent results. “Varu has a unique rhythm. It’s vibrant and full of soul. My goal is to lead with energy and collaboration, ensuring guests feel that joy in every interaction,” says Maurice.

At OBLU SELECT Sangeli, Brett Craig Castleman steps in with 27 years of hospitality experience across Africa, the Indian Ocean and the Caribbean. Known for his warm, intuitive approach, he focuses on creating heartfelt, meaningful guest experiences. “Great hospitality begins with genuine connection. When a team feels valued, guests feel it too. My vision is to nurture that shared passion every single day,” says Brett.

Speaking about the appointments, Mr Ashwin Handa, Chief Operating Officer, Atmosphere Core, said, “Leadership agility and strong operational alignment are vital to our continued success. Mario, Maurice and Brett bring not only extensive international experience but also a deep commitment to our philosophy of heartfelt hospitality. Their leadership will strengthen our collective mission to deliver the Joy of Giving.”

These appointments come at a time when Atmosphere Core continues to grow its portfolio, expand global partnerships and strengthen its presence across key destinations


Novotel Kolkata Hotel & Residences Appoints Subhadeep Saha as Front Office Manager

Novotel Kolkata Hotel & Residences Appoints Subhadeep Saha as Front Office Manager

By Hariharan U

Published on December 1, 2025

Novotel Kolkata Hotel & Residences has announced the appointment of Subhadeep Saha as its new Front Office Manager. With over 12 years of experience in the hospitality industry, he brings deep expertise in front office operations, guest engagement, and loyalty programme management.

Subhadeep began his hospitality career with Hilton Bangalore in 2013 and has since worked across properties in Bangalore, Goa, and Trivandrum. Over the years, he has been part of multiple pre-opening teams and task force assignments, strengthening operational systems and driving consistent service quality.

In his most recent role at DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Bengaluru, Outer Ring Road, Subhadeep led several initiatives focused on enhancing guest satisfaction, improving loyalty metrics, and elevating overall experience delivery, contributing to stronger brand positioning in a competitive market.

Announcing the appointment, Rajneesh Kumar, General Manager, Novotel Kolkata Hotel & Residences, said, “At Novotel Kolkata, our success is driven by the people who bring our vision to life every day. With over 12 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Subhadeep embodies the spirit of dedication, warmth, and excellence that defines our brand. His leadership and commitment to creating seamless guest experiences truly reflect the standards we strive for at Novotel Kolkata.”

With this addition to the leadership team, the hotel aims to further elevate its guest experience, strengthen front office efficiency, and reinforce its position as one of Kolkata’s prominent hospitality destinations


DoubleTree by Hilton Goa Panaji Appoints Jitin Kapoor as General Manager

DoubleTree by Hilton Goa Panaji Appoints Jitin Kapoor as General Manager

By Hariharan U

Published on December 1, 2025

DoubleTree by Hilton Goa Panaji has appointed Jitin Kapoor as its new General Manager, marking a key leadership addition for the property. A seasoned hotelier with 23+ years of hospitality experience, Jitin brings deep operational knowledge, commercial acumen, and a strong commitment to guest satisfaction.

Before joining DoubleTree by Hilton Goa Panaji, Jitin served as Hotel Manager at Fairfield by Marriott Belagavi, where he played a key role in improving guest experience, enhancing operational efficiency, and strengthening team culture. His professional journey spans a mix of luxury and upscale brands including The St. Regis Goa Resort, The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts, Taj Hotels, Radisson Hotel Group, along with restaurant experience in Scotland.

Over the years, he has gained rich exposure across Food & Beverage, Rooms Division, and pre-opening hotel operations, giving him a holistic understanding of hotel functioning. His strong commercial focus and people-first approach are expected to drive the next phase of growth for the Goa property.

Jitin holds a Diploma in Hotel Management from IHM Lucknow and an Executive MBA from the National Institute of Business Management, combining academic depth with practical industry expertise. Known for his collaborative leadership style, he is also multilingual and team-oriented, aligning seamlessly with Hilton’s service culture.

Speaking about his new role, Jitin said, “I am truly honored to take on the role of General Manager at DoubleTree by Hilton Goa Panaji. The property has a strong legacy of warm hospitality, and I am excited to work with the exceptional team here to deliver memorable experiences, drive operational excellence, and continue strengthening our market presence.”

With this appointment, DoubleTree by Hilton Goa Panaji looks ahead to elevating its service standards, enhancing guest experience, and strengthening its presence in the competitive Goa market.

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