Esha Singh Reflects on Asian Games 2026 Journey: Silver Medal Triumph Amidst Challenges
Esha Singh's Asian Games Experience
By Karunesh Kumar
New Delhi [India], September 29: Indian shooter Esha Singh's journey at the Asian Games 2026 was filled with a blend of challenges, pressure, and pride.
Following a tough performance in the 10m event, where she acknowledged that things didn't unfold as planned, Singh returned to the shooting range for the 25m pistol event with a renewed determination.
The final round tested her mental strength in unexpected ways. While it seemed like an exciting and unpredictable match to spectators, for Singh, it was a nerve-wracking experience.
Even the interruptions caused by jury errors, which were new to her, added to the uncertainty. However, instead of letting these disruptions affect her, Singh utilized the pauses to reset her mind, analyze the situation, and regain her concentration.
Ultimately, she narrowly missed out on the gold medal, securing silver after a tense shoot-off. Although the close finish was disappointing, Singh chose to view it as a significant achievement earned through resilience and determination.
Reflecting on her Asian Games performance upon her return to New Delhi, Esha remarked that the 25m final presented a unique kind of pressure, which was more intense than it appeared. She expressed satisfaction with her ability to manage the situation and regarded her silver medal as a noteworthy accomplishment.
“We had an excellent training camp in Bhopal, which was quite extensive, and we entered the Asian Games well-prepared. The 10m event didn’t go as I had hoped. I’m human, and sometimes things don’t work out. But I plan to return, improve, and come back stronger. In the 25m event, I faced a different type of pressure, but I managed to rise to the occasion. The final was dramatic and not what I expected. However, I believe this silver medal will be a memorable one for me. While it may have seemed enjoyable from the outside, it was incredibly intense for me. I gave it my all, and I’m pleased with my performance,” Esha shared.
In a tightly contested final, Esha Singh and China's Xiao Jiaruixuan ended up tied with 38 hits each after 50 shots, matching the Asian Games record and necessitating a shoot-off to determine the gold medalist.
Both competitors hit four out of five targets in the initial shoot-off, but Xiao maintained her composure in the second round, narrowly defeating Singh 3-2 to claim the title at the Aichi Prefectural General Shooting Gallery.
The final was interrupted twice due to technical issues, causing breaks in the shoot-off.
Discussing the interruptions, Esha noted that the two jury errors during the final, while unusual and disruptive, ultimately provided her with valuable moments to reset and refocus, allowing her to return stronger to the competition.
“There were two jury errors during the match, which I had never encountered before. While it might have seemed to the audience that these interruptions disrupted my rhythm, I believe they actually helped me. They allowed me to take a moment to reset, understand what was happening, and refocus. In the end, I think I came back even stronger because of it,” she added.
For Esha, this silver medal marks her second consecutive medal in the women's 25m pistol event at the Asian Games. She had also secured the runner-up position at Hangzhou 2023, contributing to India's team gold alongside Manu Bhaker and Rhythm Sangwan.