Esha Singh Wins Gold in Women’s 25m Pistol at ISSF World Cup Hangzhou 2026

Indian shooter Esha Singh won the gold medal in the women’s 25m pistol event at the ISSF World Cup (Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun) held in Hangzhou, China, on 27 July 2026. Fellow Indian shooter Manu Bhaker secured the bronze medal, helping India finish the tournament with one gold, one silver, and one bronze medal. The victory marked Esha Singh’s second ISSF World Cup gold medal of the 2026 season, further strengthening India’s position in international shooting.

The International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup is one of the most prestigious competitions in Olympic shooting. It features events in rifle, pistol, and shotgun disciplines and serves as a major platform for elite shooters to earn world ranking points and prepare for the Olympic Games.

The women’s 25m pistol event, also known as the sport pistol event, consists of a qualification round followed by an elimination-based final. Shooters compete over precision and rapid-fire stages during qualification, while the final tests consistency under pressure through successive elimination rounds.

In the Hangzhou final, Esha Singh displayed remarkable composure and accuracy to score 40 hits, securing the gold medal. Manu Bhaker won the bronze medal after finishing with 28 hits following a shoot-off. Both Indian shooters had delivered outstanding performances during qualification.

The qualification results were equally impressive:

• Manu Bhaker topped the qualification with 586-20x.
• Esha Singh qualified second with 585-18x.
• Rahi Sarnobat scored 582-16x.
• Simranpreet Kaur Brar recorded 576-20x.
• Abhidnya Ashok Patil finished with 573-16x.

Earlier in the 2026 season, Esha Singh had won the ISSF World Cup in Munich, where she scored 43 hits in the final and created both senior and junior world records. Her consistent performances underline India’s growing strength in pistol shooting and reinforce the country’s medal prospects for upcoming international events.

Related Information

The International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) is the global governing body for Olympic shooting sports. Founded in 1907 and headquartered in Munich, Germany, the ISSF regulates international competitions in rifle, pistol, and shotgun events. The ISSF World Cup circuit provides athletes with valuable international exposure before major events such as the Asian Games, World Championships, and the Olympic Games.

India has emerged as a global powerhouse in shooting over the past decade through initiatives such as the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), support from the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), and improved high-performance training infrastructure. Shooters like Abhinav Bindra, Manu Bhaker, Sift Kaur Samra, Rudrankksh Patil, Elavenil Valarivan, and Esha Singh have consistently delivered medals at the international level.

Exam Oriented Facts

• Event: ISSF World Cup (Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun) 2026.
• Venue: Hangzhou, China.
• Date: 27 July 2026.
• Gold Medal: Esha Singh (Women’s 25m Pistol).
• Bronze Medal: Manu Bhaker.
• Gold-winning Score: 40 hits.
• Qualification Leader: Manu Bhaker (586-20x).
• Runner-up in Qualification: Esha Singh (585-18x).
• Governing Body: International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF).
• ISSF Headquarters: Munich, Germany.
• Women’s 25m Pistol is also known as the Sport Pistol event.
• Manu Bhaker is a double Olympic medallist.
• India’s Medal Tally at Hangzhou: 1 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze.