Hyderabad Shooter Esha Singh Sets 25m Pistol World Record With Score of 43 in Munich

HYDERABAD — Hyderabad shooter Esha Singh has bounced back from her Olympic disappointment in Paris by setting a new world record in the 25m air pistol event at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup in Munich, Germany.

The 21-year-old city shooter secured the gold medal last week with a record-breaking score of 43 in the final. The landmark performance serves as a major confidence booster for Singh as she prepares for the upcoming Asian Games.

The victory marks a significant turnaround for Singh, who faced a difficult period after failing to finish on the podium at the Paris Olympics. Speaking on Thursday, Singh shared that the post-Paris period was tough, but she used the experience to build her mental strength. She noted that shooting is largely a mental game and that she focused on becoming mentally stronger after reaching what she described as the lowest point for any athlete.

To prepare for the ISSF World Cup, Singh travelled to Germany well in advance of the tournament. The early arrival was intended to address a persistent issue with her grip that she had been struggling with since November last year. Singh engaged in hours of rigorous training to resolve the issue and execute her practice routines during the competition.

Singh described the ISSF World Cup as one of the toughest tournaments in the world, making her gold medal and world record score highly satisfying. She added that the achievement had not yet fully sunk in.

In addition to her record-setting gold in the 25m air pistol, Singh also won a silver medal in the 10m air pistol event. She spoke positively about her long-standing competition with double-Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker, noting that they have been teammates for nearly eight years. Singh explained that their rivalry is a fun and motivating partnership that pushes both of them to improve.

Looking ahead, Singh stated that her next target is to win a gold medal at the Asian Games, with her recent success in Munich providing the necessary momentum.