New Delhi: It has been just over a month since Esha Singh clinched gold in the 25m pistol event at the Munich World Cup, and she is starting to fully grasp her incredible achievement. “Perhaps I should only do interviews a month after winning, as it took me that long to process what I’ve accomplished,” she joked. In addition to winning the gold medal, Singh set a new world record with a score of 43 out of 50, surpassing the previous record of 42 points held by South Korea’s Kim Yeji. Notably, Kim, a silver medalist from the Paris Olympics in the 10m pistol event, had maintained the record since May 2024.
Event Context
“It’s an event that draws top-notch competitors, so achieving success in Munich has always been a goal for me. After two disappointing outings, I was resolute about breaking that streak this time,” she shared. This year, the competition was particularly fierce, featuring a final with reigning Olympic champion Yang Ji-in from South Korea, along with Doreen Vennekamp, a former world champion and European Games gold medallist from Germany. Notably, double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and 2018 Asian Games champion Rahi Sarnobat did not reach the medal stage.
To prepare for the World Cup, Esha undertook a training session in Suhl, where she adjusted the grip of her pistol. She made this change just ten days before her competition, a bold move given the significant events like the Asian Games and World Championships approaching later in the year.
“I had been facing grip issues since November 2025 and kept postponing the adjustment, hoping it would improve. Since this year is crucial and I was in Europe, I decided it was the right moment to make the change,” she remarked. Following her victory in the 25m event, Esha also secured a silver medal in the 10m event, finishing behind her fellow competitor Suruchi Singh. Alongside Manu, she has been selected for both pistol events at the upcoming Asian Games.
“I’ve been balancing these two events for some time, and I believe they complement each other,” she noted, even though the firearms and ammunition differ in each event. “The precision required in 25m mirrors that of 10m. Practicing in 10m helps enhance my precision skills, which benefits my rapid-fire performance. Although the weight, recoil, sound, and ammunition characteristics of the pistols are distinct, I’ve refined my ability to make quick technical and mental adjustments with extensive practice.”
Esha’s past two years have yielded impressive results. Last year, she earned silver in two 10m team events at the Cairo World Championships, a gold in 10m at the Ningbo World Cup, and another silver in 25m at the Buenos Aires World Cup. She kicked off this season with titles at the Asian Championships, claiming victories in both individual and team segments of the 10m event, as well as an individual bronze and team gold in the 25m.
Three years after her standout performance in Hangzhou, Esha has emerged as one of India’s most promising medal hopefuls. Aside from the disappointment of not making the finals at the Paris Olympics, she has maintained a strong performance record. Esha’s next challenge will be the World Cup in Hangzhou from July 20-29, followed by the Asian Games.
Player Focus
Esha’s success stems not only from her intense training under coach Ronak Pandit but also from her fearless approach to the sport. “I no longer fear shooting low scores,” she explained. “This newfound confidence comes from extensive experience and exposure to competitive environments. Early in my career, despite winning several domestic age-group titles, I struggled with inconsistency. Many athletes experience a steady upward trend, making it difficult for them to recover when performance dips. Having faced both success and setbacks at a young age, I have gradually overcome my fear of failure. I trust in my ability to recover from any challenge,” said Esha, who made history at just 13 as the youngest national champion in the 10m air pistol event.
She also reflected on her experience at the Munich competition, stating, “I would have been satisfied even without a win as long as I was pleased with my performance execution.”
Team Analysis
Esha’s upcoming challenge is the Asian Games in Japan, marking her first competition in this nation. At the age of 18 in 2023, she made her debut at the Asiad, securing four medals: a team gold in the 25m pistol event, individual silver medals in both the 10m and 25m pistol events, and a team silver in the 10m competition. This achievement made her the youngest shooting medallist for India in that edition.
Match Outlook
“It feels like a dream. Competing in pistol shooting, particularly in the 25m category, requires exceptional consistency and technical skill. I’m thrilled with my performance,” she stated. This gold medal marks a significant turning point for Esha, who previously struggled in Munich—having participated twice without securing a medal, with her best finish being sixth last year.
“I’ve evolved as a person and as a shooter since 2023. I hold myself to higher standards now, and I know others have high expectations for me too. I aim to leverage all my experiences and lessons learned as I head to Japan,” she expressed.
