India continued its impressive run at the ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun in Hangzhou, China, with pistol shooters Esha Singh and Manu Bhaker delivering a memorable double podium finish in the Women's 25m Pistol event. Esha clinched the gold medal with a dominant performance in the final, while two-time Paris 2024 Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker battled through a fiercely contested competition to secure the bronze medal.
The twin podium finish added another significant chapter to India's successful campaign at the World Cup and underlined the country's growing strength in international shooting. Both shooters displayed remarkable composure and consistency throughout the competition, beginning with an outstanding qualification round before carrying their form into the medal-deciding final.
Esha Singh emerged as the standout performer in the final, registering 40 hits to comfortably finish ahead of the field and capture the gold medal. Her composed display under pressure once again demonstrated why she is regarded as one of India's brightest shooting talents.
Manu Bhaker also showcased her experience and resilience during the final. Facing intense competition, she survived a crucial shoot-off to remain in medal contention before eventually finishing with 28 hits to secure the bronze medal. Her ability to recover under pressure ensured India celebrated a double podium finish in the event.
The Indian contingent had already stamped its authority during the qualification stage. Manu Bhaker topped the qualification standings with an impressive score of 586-20x, while Esha Singh followed closely in second place with 585-18x. Their performances comfortably earned them places among the eight finalists and positioned India strongly ahead of the medal round.
Former Asian Games gold medallist Rahi Sarnobat also delivered a commendable performance, scoring 582-16x in qualification. Simranpreet Kaur Brar recorded 576-20x, while Abhidnya Ashok Patil finished with 573-16x while competing under Ranking Points Only (RPO) status, reflecting the depth of India's women's pistol squad.
Speaking after her victory, Esha Singh admitted that defending her growing reputation on the international circuit had added extra pressure to her performance. She said overcoming that mental challenge made the gold medal even more satisfying.
"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," Esha said.
The Hyderabad shooter also spoke about her fond memories of competing in Hangzhou, where she enjoyed considerable success during the Asian Games. "I really love competing here in Hangzhou. Recalling how the competition went during the Asian Games, where I won four medals, I was really excited to come back. Being familiar with the range, the lighting, and the atmosphere in the final hall definitely counted in my favour," she added.
Manu Bhaker, meanwhile, described the bronze medal as an important milestone in her preparations for upcoming international competitions. The Olympic medallist said the experience gained from competing against a world-class field would prove invaluable in the months ahead.
"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," Manu said.
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The gold medal further strengthens Esha Singh's growing reputation in world shooting. Earlier this season, the 21-year-old created history at the ISSF World Cup in Munich by setting both the senior and junior world records with 43 hits in the final of the same event. A Paris 2024 Olympian and Arjuna Award recipient, Esha has rapidly established herself among the world's leading pistol shooters through a series of consistent performances on the international stage.
For Manu Bhaker, the bronze medal marks another significant achievement in an already distinguished career. She continues to build on the momentum generated by her historic campaign at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where she became the first athlete from independent India to win two medals at a single edition of the Olympics. Her latest podium finish in Hangzhou reinforces her status as one of India's most dependable performers on the global shooting circuit.
India's success in the Women's 25m Pistol event further highlights the country's growing depth in shooting, with experienced campaigners and emerging stars consistently challenging for top honours. As preparations continue for the upcoming ISSF World Championships and the next Asian Games, the performances of Esha Singh and Manu Bhaker provide a major boost to the Indian contingent and strengthen hopes of continued success on the international stage.
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