Esha Singh shatters world record to bag historic ISSF World Cup shooting gold: ‘Had a lot of nerves, hand was shaking’

Esha Singh shattered the 42 set by Korean shooter Kim Yeji in Baku two years ago by one hit. She also broke the junior world record of 41, set by Yang Jiin.

Updated on: May 28, 2026, 15:36:33 IST

Written by Neelav Chakravarti

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Esha Singh clinched gold in the women's 25m pistol category with a world record score of 43 on the second day of the ISSF World Cup in Munich. In the final, the three-time world championship medallist shot perfect fives in half of the 10 series of five shots as home favourite Doreen Vennekamp had to settle for silver. Meanwhile, Bulgaria's Miroslava Mincheva got bronze. Meanwhile, reigning Olympic champion Yang Jiin finished in fifth position.

Esha Singh won gold and also broke the world record in Munich.

Esha's victory was also India's first medal at the Munich World Cup. It is her fourth individual World Cup medal.

Also Read: Manu Bhaker, Esha Singh miss out on 10m air pistol medal in ISSF World Championships

Speaking to the media, she said, "Munich meant a lot to me. Everyone knows the kind of competition that goes on here, especially in pistol. I mean even getting into the top eight is very tight. I really wanted to win this as this was my third time here."

"I am really grateful and loved the experience. I just focused on myself, my process and the things I did in training and it just paid off."

‘I wasn’t calm at all': Esha Singh

Revealing that she was nervous in the final, she claimed, "I wasn't calm at all. At one time when trying to hear the command I could almost feel my left hand shaking. I had a lot of nerves but in our sport you can't escape that. You have to face it and embrace it and that is what experience is all about."

She fired a 294 in the rapid-fire round of qualification, complementing her 293 in the precision round as she got the fourth qualifying spot with a score of 587.

She was in hot form in the final, getting three perfect fives in the first three series, which increased the distance between her and the rest of the playing field.

Esha did miss the first of her fourth series, but was still four points clear of second-placed Doreen. The sixth and eighth series were fives, and the world record was in sight with the medal assured. She ended with a four and a three, beating the 42 set by Korean shooter Kim Yeji in Baku two years ago by one hit. She also broke the junior world record of 41, set by Yang Jiin.

Meanwhile, Manu Bhaker and Rahi Sarnobat bagged scores of 582 and 581, managing 12th and 14th positions respectively. Also, Ashi Chouksey failed to reach the finals of the women's 50m rifle 3 positions event by a one-point margin.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neelav Chakravarti
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results. A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.Read More

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