Post by : Raman

Photo : PTI

In an exciting moment for Indian sports, 20-year-old Olympian Esha Singh won the gold medal in the women’s 10m air pistol event at the ISSF World Cup held in Ningbo, China, on Saturday, September 13, 2025. This victory not only ended India’s medal drought at the tournament but also marked Esha’s first World Cup gold in this prestigious event.

The competition took place at the Ningbo Olympic Sports Centre, where shooters from around the world participated. Esha faced intense pressure from top competitors, including China’s home favourite, Yao Qianxun, and South Korea’s Olympic champion, Oh Yejin. In a thrilling final, Esha narrowly defeated Yao by just 0.1 points, while Oh Yejin secured the bronze medal.

This win was a proud moment for India, helping the nation rise to fifth place in the overall medal standings alongside four other countries that had won gold medals. China led the medal tally with two golds, four silvers, and one bronze. Despite sending mostly lower-ranked shooters in the tournament, India’s young team performed impressively, proving their potential on the international stage.

Esha Singh’s Journey to Gold

Esha Singh, speaking after her victory, expressed her joy: “I am very happy as this is the first event I started with, and to win a World Cup gold in it… I’m just happy that some of my goals are being reached.” She also shared her excitement about the upcoming World Championships in Cairo, saying, “We are training very hard, and I am sure you will see very good things from the Indian team.”

During the tense final, Esha kept a calm and focused mindset. She said, “I know that India hasn’t won a medal yet and there are great shooters in the field. But I have played many finals against these competitors before. I focus on my own game, enjoy the match, and trust the pistol in my hand.”

Qualifiers and Final Performance

Both Esha and her teammate Rhythm Sangwan qualified for the final with identical scores of 578, securing the last two spots. Yao Qianxun led the qualifiers with 584, and India’s Palak Gulia, competing mainly for ranking points, scored 586. Another Indian shooter, Surbhi Rao, finished 25th with a score of 568.

The final, which featured eight shooters, was a mix of skill, nerves, and determination. Rhythm Sangwan started strong, leading after the first series, while Esha was in second place. By the halfway point, Esha moved into the lead, while Rhythm gradually dropped to fifth. Rhythm briefly climbed to fourth with a 10.8 on her 15th shot but was eliminated after her 18th shot.

Esha maintained her focus and rhythm throughout the final. She hit two crucial 10.7s at key moments, keeping Yao Qianxun at bay. In the end, Esha secured the gold medal with a total score of 242.6, just 0.1 points ahead of the Chinese shooter.

Other Indian Shooters’ Performances

In addition to Esha and Rhythm, several other Indian shooters competed in the tournament. Bhavesh Shekhawat finished 22nd in the men’s 25m rapid-fire pistol with a score of 575, while Pradeep Singh Shekhawat came in 23rd with the same score. Mandeep Singh placed 39th, scoring 562. Although these performances did not result in medals, they provided valuable experience for the shooters on the international stage.

Significance of the Victory

Esha Singh’s gold medal is a remarkable achievement for both her personally and for Indian shooting sports. Her calmness under pressure, strong preparation, and ability to perform in a high-stakes environment reflect the growing strength of India’s young athletes. This victory is a boost for the country’s morale and demonstrates that India can compete with the best shooters in the world.

The success of Esha and the Indian team is particularly inspiring given that they faced world-class shooters, including Olympians and top-ranked athletes. Winning under such conditions shows not only skill but also mental toughness and focus.

Looking Ahead

With the World Championships in Cairo approaching, the Indian shooting team hopes to build on this success. The performance of Esha Singh and her teammates will serve as motivation for the team to achieve more medals in international events. Fans and sports enthusiasts will be watching closely, hoping to see India continue its strong performance in shooting sports.

Esha’s victory also sends a message to young athletes in India: dedication, hard work, and focus can help overcome challenges and achieve success on the world stage. Her achievement is expected to inspire a new generation of shooters across the country.

Esha Singh’s gold medal at the ISSF World Cup in Ningbo is a proud moment for India and highlights the potential of young athletes in the sport of shooting. Her focus, preparation, and calm under pressure allowed her to triumph over some of the world’s best shooters. As India looks forward to the World Championships in Cairo, this victory serves as both a milestone and a source of motivation for the entire shooting community.

India’s young shooters, led by Esha Singh, have shown that talent, determination, and discipline can lead to success at the highest levels. Fans will be eagerly following their journey, hoping to see more historic wins in the future.

Esha Singh, ISSF World Cup 2025, India Shooting, 10m Air Pistol, Olympic Shooting, Ningbo Shooting Event