Indian shooter Esha Singh delivered a sensational performance at the ISSF Munich World Cup, clinching the gold medal in the women’s 25m pistol event while rewriting the world record books on Wednesday.
The 21-year-old from Hyderabad produced a stunning score of 43 in the final, surpassing the previous senior world record of 42 and the junior world record of 41. The earlier senior mark had been set by South Korea’s Kim Ye-ji in 2024, while the junior record belonged to Paris Olympics champion Yang Ji-in, also from South Korea.
Esha dominated the final with remarkable consistency and composure, finishing five points ahead of Germany’s experienced shooter Doreen Vennekamp, who secured silver with 38 points.
Her triumph in Munich is being seen as one of the biggest achievements of her young career and further establishes her as one of India’s brightest shooting talents on the international stage. The prestigious Munich World Cup is widely regarded as one of the toughest competitions in the shooting calendar, with athletes from across the world participating and scores traditionally remaining extremely high.
Speaking after the victory, Esha admitted that while she was aiming for a podium finish, she had not imagined breaking world records in the process.
“The Munich World Cup is a very prestigious competition, and even qualifying for the final here is a big achievement because the level is extremely high. I really wanted to win a medal, but I did not think about setting a world record. I am very happy because winning gold along with a record at this venue means a lot to me,” she said.
The Indian shooter added that the achievement would boost her confidence ahead of an important season that includes major global events such as the Asian Games and the World Championships later this year.
“There are many important competitions coming up. I will take confidence from this performance, but at the same time, I know I have to keep improving and continue working hard for future matches,” she added.
Esha has steadily risen through the ranks over the past few years and has already earned recognition with strong performances at international competitions. Last year, she won a bronze medal at the World Championships, and her latest success in Munich further highlights her rapid growth in the sport.
Her coach Ronak Pandit credited technical adjustments, including a change in grip, for helping her achieve the historic feat. According to him, the changes allowed Esha to feel more comfortable and consistent during the competition, which reflected in her confident display during the final.
India has enjoyed significant success in shooting in recent years, with young athletes continuing to shine on the world stage. Esha’s latest gold medal and record-breaking performance add another memorable chapter to the country’s growing dominance in international shooting competitions.
With major events approaching later this year, Esha’s emphatic victory in Munich has not only boosted her confidence but has also strengthened India’s hopes of more medals on the global stage.