In a brilliant display of composure and skill, Indian shooter Esha Singh secured her maiden individual World Championships medal, a bronze in the highly competitive women's 25m pistol event at the ISSF World C'ships in Cairo. This victory is not just a personal triumph for the young athlete but marks a significant milestone for Indian shooting as it progresses toward the upcoming LA Olympics.
Esha's performance was nothing short of exceptional. She maintained a steely focus throughout the grueling final rounds, ultimately scoring 30 to finish a commendable third. She was outpaced only by the formidable silver medalist, in-form Chinese shooter Yao Qianxun (score: 38), and the gold medalist, reigning Olympic Champion Yang Jin (score: 40) of South Korea. Her ability to hold her nerve against such seasoned international competitors speaks volumes about her potential.
However, the event saw a moment of disappointment for India's experienced and double Olympic medallist, Manu Bhaker. Despite her pedigree, Manu narrowly missed out on a podium finish. Both Esha and Manu had earlier staged confident rapid-fire rounds to secure their spots in the final eight. Esha had achieved the seventh spot with a score of 587, while Manu secured the sixth spot, scoring 586 in the qualifying field of 86. Their qualifications, especially Yang's stunning 300/300 in the rapid round, set a high bar for the competition.
Context and Implications
Esha's bronze medal comes as a timely boost for the entire Indian contingent, as her efforts have been firmly wrapped up in engagements on the 10-Olympic events schedule. This tournament has proven to be a historic outing for India, with the team accumulating a haul of one gold, three silver, and a total of three bronze medals before this event.
Overall, India stands third on the medal table with three gold, five silver, and four bronze medals. They trail only the two Asian shooting powerhouses: leaders China with 10 gold medals and Korea who hold second position with six gold medals.
Mixed Results for Team India
The competition also saw other notable performances and near-misses. In the mixed team silver medal event, Indian shooters Esha and Manu competed alongside veterans like Rahi Sarnobat.
However, Rahi Sarnobat's score of 572 was regrettably not enough to secure a team medal for the trio. They finished fourth, agonizingly close—just three short of the 1745 needed to tie the bronze-winning French team. The competition had kicked off fiercely, with Yang laying down the gauntlet, opening with a perfect five to start the 10-series rapid-fire shots, setting the tone for the challenging matches ahead.
The women's 25m pistol event final also featured formidable global talent, including the experienced Iranian Haniyeh Rostamiyan and France's former European and junior world champion Lamolle Mathilde. The final eight was rounded out by the appearance of unknown North Korean shooter Kim Hyon Suk.
Esha Singh's bronze medal is a beacon of hope, underscoring the depth and rising talent within India's shooting program. It suggests a successful transition of form from the junior ranks to the elite level, setting the stage for an exciting Olympic cycle ahead.
