PUNE: Esha Singh delivered a spectacular performance to win the gold medal in the women's 25m pistol event at the ISSF Munich World Cup on Wednesday, setting new world records in the process. The 21-year-old from Hyderabad shot an impressive 43 in the final, surpassing the previous senior world record of 42 set by South Korea's Kim Ye-ji in 2024. She also eclipsed the junior world record of 41 held by Paris Olympics gold medallist Yang Ji-in of Korea, also set in 2024.
Dominant Victory
Esha's dominance was evident as she finished a full five points ahead of the silver medallist, seasoned German shooter Doreen Vennekamp, who scored 38. The gold medal match showcased Esha's exceptional composure and skill under pressure.
A Dream Come True
Esha, who won bronze at the World Championships last year, expressed her delight at the achievement. "The Munich World Cup is a very prestigious event, and the scores go high here, so even qualifying for the finals is a big achievement. I badly wanted to win a medal here. I didn't think of creating a new world record, but I am happy I did as a record with gold at this range would mean a lot," Esha told TOI.
Confidence Booster
The young shooter believes this victory will boost her confidence ahead of a busy season that includes the Asian Games and World Championships later this year. "I will remember this performance to gain confidence, but at the same time, will also work on my future matches," she added.
Coach's Insight
Esha's coach, Ronak Pandit, attributed her success to a recent grip change that improved her performance. The adjustment appears to have paid off handsomely on the international stage.
