Esha Singh and Manu Bhaker Shine at ISSF World Cup in Hangzhou

Indian Shooters Excel in Women's 25m Pistol Event

In a remarkable display of skill, Indian shooters Esha Singh and Manu Bhaker achieved a stunning double podium finish in the Women's 25m Pistol event at the ISSF World Cup held in Hangzhou, China. Esha secured the gold medal with an impressive performance, hitting 40 targets, while Manu clinched the bronze after a tense shoot-off, finishing with 28 hits, as reported by the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI).

The Indian team set a strong precedent during the qualification rounds, with Manu Bhaker leading the pack with an exceptional score of 586-20x, followed closely by Esha Singh at 585-18x, both advancing smoothly to the final. Former Asian Games Gold Medalist Rahi Sarnobat scored 582-16x, while Simranpreet Kaur Brar and Abhidnya Ashok Patil also delivered commendable performances under Ranking Points Only (RPO) status.

Esha reflected on the mental challenges she faced after her record-setting gold in Munich earlier this season, stating, "This match was very pressure-riding for me because of the previous medal I had. The better you get in your event, the more you feel that weight of prestige you have to conquer. I'm happy that I was able to get past it today and grateful that I had the ability to endure it." She expressed her excitement about competing in Hangzhou, recalling her success at the Asian Games where she won four medals, and noted that her familiarity with the venue contributed to her performance.

Manu Bhaker, discussing her performance and future goals, mentioned, "This medal is very important because it acts as a stepping stone. It gives me clarity on what is working and the direction I want to head in. While the medal surely boosts my confidence, the experience I gained from this competitive match will help even more as we look ahead to major assignments like the World Championships and Asian Games."

The gold medal marks another significant milestone for 21-year-old Esha Singh from Hyderabad, who previously made headlines by setting both senior and junior world records with 43 hits in the final at the ISSF World Cup in Munich. As a Paris 2024 Olympian and Arjuna Awardee, Esha is solidifying her status among the elite in the sport. Meanwhile, Manu's bronze medal underscores her consistent performance on the international stage, especially following her historic achievements at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where she became the first athlete from independent India to win two medals in a single edition of the Games.