Esha Singh scores 239.8 to win women’s individual gold, leads team to victory, while Samrat Rana earns men’s bronze
New Delhi: Indian shooter Esha Singh, aged 21, staged an impressive comeback to win gold in the women’s individual 10m air pistol at the 2026 Asian Shooting Championship held in New Delhi. She scored 239.8 points in the final, overtaking competitors from Chinese Taipei, Cheng Yen-Ching who won silver with 235.4 points and Yu Ai-Wen who took bronze with 217.7 points.
Esha started the final behind early leaders, but she maintained her composure and delivered consistently high shots, several above 10.4, which allowed her to surge ahead in the crucial stages. This achievement is her second senior Asian Championship gold, following her maiden continental title in Jakarta in 2024.
Indian Women’s Team Secures Gold
The Indian women’s air pistol team, comprising Esha Singh, Manu Bhaker, and Suruchi Singh, also won team gold. In the qualification round, Suruchi scored 576 points while both Esha and Manu scored 575 each. Their combined score of 1,726 points placed India comfortably ahead of Vietnam and Chinese Taipei.
During the final, Suruchi initially led but eventually finished fourth, while Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker ended in seventh place. Esha’s strong performance helped India secure the team gold and confirmed the strength of the Indian women’s shooting squad.
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Samrat Rana Wins Bronze
On the men’s side, 21-year-old Samrat Rana delivered a strong performance to claim bronze in the individual 10m air pistol event. He scored 581 points in the qualification round, entering the final in second place, and finished the medal round with 220.3 points. Samrat trailed behind Vladimir Svechnikov of Uzbekistan who won gold with 242 points and Valeriy Rakhimzhan of Kazakhstan who earned silver with 241 points.
Another Indian shooter, Sharvan Kumar, reached the eight-shooter final but finished fourth. Samrat’s medal highlights his rising stature as a world-class shooter and adds to India’s growing list of achievements in continental shooting competitions.
Indian Men’s Team Wins Silver
The Indian men’s team, consisting of Samrat Rana with 581 points, Sharvan Kumar with 578 points, and Varun Tomar with 573 points, won team silver. The combined score of 1,732 points matched Uzbekistan’s total, but Uzbekistan secured gold due to a higher number of inner 10s, 58 compared to India’s 52. Kazakhstan finished third with 1,731 points. This performance further emphasizes India’s competitive strength in men’s shooting events.
Esha Singh’s Rising Career
Esha Singh has quickly established herself as one of India’s top shooters. She won gold at the ISSF World Cup in Ningbo, China, in 2025 and earned a bronze medal at the 2025 ISSF World Championship in the women’s 25m pistol event, becoming one of India’s first women to win an individual medal at the World Championship. Her victories at the Asian Shooting Championship further strengthen her reputation as a leading international shooter.
Competition Highlights
The women’s 10m air pistol final featured very close scores, with many competitors consistently hitting high 10s. Esha maintained her composure and precision throughout the final, which allowed her to stay in the lead and ultimately secure gold.
In the men’s final, Samrat Rana performed admirably in the qualification round. However, sharper score discrepancies in the medal round influenced his placing, and he finished with a bronze medal.
India Strengthens Its Shooting Legacy
India’s success at the 2026 Asian Shooting Championship demonstrates the country’s expanding expertise in shooting sports. Along with Esha Singh and Samrat Rana, shooters such as Manu Bhaker, Suruchi Singh, and Varun Tomar have consistently reached the finals in both pistol and rifle events. Their performances showcase India’s expanding talent pool and boost confidence for upcoming global competitions, including ISSF World Cups and the Olympics.
Conclusion
India’s strong participation at the Asian Shooting Championship is highlighted by Esha Singh’s individual and team golds, as well as Samrat Rana’s bronze medal. These accomplishments demonstrate Indian shooters’ skill, preparation, and perseverance, and also strengthen India’s rising status in international shooting sports. Indian athletes continue to inspire and set a high standard for future championships.
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