Indian Shooters Esha Singh and Neeru Dhanda Honored for ISSF World Cup Triumphs
Celebrating Shooting Stars
On July 30, in New Delhi, Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, recognized the outstanding achievements of Esha Singh and Neeru Dhanda, who both secured gold medals at the ISSF World Cup 2026.
Neeru Dhanda made history in Lonato, Italy, by becoming the first Indian woman to win a gold medal in trap shooting at an ISSF World Cup. Meanwhile, Esha Singh continued her impressive performance in international shooting, capturing the gold in the women's 25m pistol event at the ISSF World Cup held in Hangzhou, China, marking her second World Cup gold this year.
During their meeting, Dr. Mandaviya expressed the government's commitment to supporting these athletes as they aim for continued success in shooting sports.
He stated, “The Government is dedicated to ensuring you have all the resources needed to excel in every competition. Shooting is a top priority for us, especially as we look forward to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and the 2030 Commonwealth Games. We expect to see medals from you at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics,” as noted in a press release.
Dr. Mandaviya highlighted that the accomplishments of these shooters are a testament to India's long-term investment in athlete development through programs like TOPS, National Centres of Excellence, Khelo India, and scientific coaching.
Esha, an Arjuna Awardee, is part of the TOPS Core group, while Neeru belongs to the TOPS Development group. Both athletes have also been recognized as Khelo India Athletes (KIAs) and are gearing up for the upcoming 2026 Asian Games.
Neeru, 26, from Jind district in Haryana, set a new national record in qualification with a score of 121 out of 125 before triumphing over former World Champion Carole Cormenier of France in a nail-biting final. As a Naib Subedar in the Corps of Military Police, she trains at the esteemed Army Marksmanship Unit (AMU) in Mhow. Her recent World Cup victory follows her gold medal at the 2025 Asian Shooting Championships.
Meanwhile, Esha, 21, who is the reigning double silver medallist from the Asian Games, overcame a formidable challenge from Chinese competitors in the Hangzhou final. Last year, she made history as the first Indian woman to earn a World Championship medal in the women's 25m pistol, securing a bronze in Doha, and previously won her first ISSF World Cup title in the 10m air pistol. She also clinched the 25m pistol gold at the Munich World Cup with a world-record score of 43.