The Indian tricolour soared high in Ningbo, China, as Esha Singh produced a sensational performance in the women’s 10m air pistol final at the ISSF World Cup, clinching her first-ever individual World Cup gold medal.
In a tense, high-quality final, the 19-year-old shooter scored 242.6, her second-best score in an international final (her career-best being 243.1), to edge out China’s Yao by the narrowest of margins — 0.1 point.
For Indian shooting, this gold was more than just another medal. It marked the first medal of this World Cup for India, ended the medal drought that had stretched across six events, and continued the country’s astonishing dominance in women’s 10m air pistol this season.
Esha entered the final after shooting 578 (16x) in qualification, the same score as compatriot Rhythm Sangwan, who also made the top eight. Palak, another Indian in contention, topped qualification with an impressive 586 (24x), but was competing as an RPO (Ranking Points Only) and could not advance to the final.
Once in the medal round, Esha brought her reputation as a high-quality finals shooter to the fore. Calm, composed, and precise, she displayed remarkable consistency in the elimination stages. Each shot added pressure on her opponents, and as the competition narrowed down to the final few shooters, the intensity was palpable.
The final came down to the wire. Facing China’s Yao in a thrilling finish, Esha needed to hold her nerve. A clutch final shot of 10.3, enough to stay just ahead, sealed the contest. At 242.6, she had not only secured gold but also underlined her growing maturity on the world stage.
This was no ordinary victory. Esha overcame a field stacked with talent, including Olympic champion Oh Ye Jin of Korea, who eventually had to settle for bronze. That Esha, ranked World No. 67 in the event, managed to outshoot such decorated names shows the scale of her achievement.
Oh Ye Jin’s bronze finish further highlighted the quality of the competition. For Esha, who has often been spoken of as one of India’s brightest young shooting talents, this result was both a statement of intent and a breakthrough moment.
India’s Golden Run in Women’s 10m Air Pistol
Esha’s gold also extends India’s remarkable record in women’s 10m air pistol this year. The event has been a goldmine for the country in the 2025 World Cup season:
- Suruchi Singh has already won three World Cup golds in the event.
- Now, Esha Singh has added the fourth, completing a sweep of gold medals across all World Cups this year in this discipline.
No other nation has dominated a single event in this manner, and it reflects the depth and quality of India’s women pistol shooters.
While all eyes were on Esha in the final, Rhythm Sangwan also deserves credit. She finished 5th in the final after qualifying with 578 (22x). Her presence in yet another international final shows the strength of India’s second line of shooters, who consistently keep the country in contention at major tournaments.
Though Rhythm missed out on a podium, her performance underlines the healthy competition within the Indian shooting setup a rivalry that pushes each athlete to raise their game.
A Special Milestone for Esha
This gold carries personal significance for Esha Singh. Although she has multiple team medals to her name and has stood on World Cup podiums before, this was her first individual World Cup gold. For a shooter still at the beginning of her senior career, it is a vital step in building confidence and experience.
Her performance also confirms what many observers have long said: Esha thrives under the pressure of finals. While others may falter with the weight of expectation, she seems to sharpen her focus, her shots growing steadier and more assured as the competition intensifies.
The Ningbo win is likely to boost Esha’s world ranking significantly and further cement her place in India’s elite shooting squad. With the ISSF World Cup Finals later this year and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic cycle on the horizon, this result could serve as a springboard to even greater success.
For India, her gold also sends a clear message: the depth of talent in women’s pistol events is world-class. From Suruchi Singh’s triple golds to Esha’s breakthrough, the future looks promising.
Esha Singh’s victory in Ningbo was about more than just a medal. It was about resilience after a medal-less start to the World Cup, about proving herself against Olympic champions, and about joining the league of shooters who can be counted on to deliver when it matters most.
Her score of 242.6, her second-best ever, showed that she is reaching higher levels of consistency. By edging out Yao in a nail-biting finish and bringing home India’s first medal of the competition, she reaffirmed her reputation as a big-match shooter.
With this triumph, India’s women have now swept gold in all four World Cups this season in 10m air pistol. For Esha, it is a career-defining first; for India, it is another chapter in a golden year.
