BJP MP and former Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur on Monday, July 27, 2026, congratulated Indian shooters Esha Singh and Manu Bhaker after the pair claimed Gold and Bronze medals respectively in the Women's 25m Pistol event at the ISSF World Cup in Hangzhou, China.

Context

Thakur took to X to share his congratulations, calling the duo 'Rising Stars' and writing: 'The whole nation is proud to have such prodigies as our daughters.' The post, which included a video, tagged both athletes directly and closed with a Jai Hind [Victory to India], underscoring the patriotic sentiment around the achievement.

Esha Singh is an Indian pistol shooter who has competed across junior and senior ISSF circuits, while Manu Bhaker is one of India's most decorated modern shooters, having won two Bronze medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics in the 10m Air Pistol and Mixed Team events — making her the first Indian athlete in the post-independence era to win multiple medals at a single Olympic Games.

Policy Backdrop

Thakur served as Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports before his cabinet reshuffle, a tenure during which he championed athlete welfare and international competition exposure. The Khelo India programme, launched in 2017, has been a central government vehicle for identifying and funding grassroots talent, including shooters who have gone on to represent India at the highest levels.

India's shooting contingent has recorded consistent gains on the international circuit since the early 2010s, backed by increased government investment in training infrastructure and coaching. The ISSF World Cup series serves as a critical ranking and qualification platform for Olympic selection trials.

Stakeholders and Impact

The Hangzhou result adds to the growing medal tally of Indian women in precision shooting, a discipline where the country has invested heavily in junior development pipelines. For Esha Singh, a Gold at this stage of the World Cup circuit strengthens her profile ahead of upcoming national selection trials. For Manu Bhaker, a Bronze in the 25m Pistol — a different discipline from her Olympic-winning 10m events — signals versatility and continued competitive form.

Former sports ministers and senior BJP figures regularly use social media to amplify individual athletic achievements, a practice that keeps public attention on Olympic preparation and reinforces government association with sporting success.

What's Next

With the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics on the horizon, every ISSF World Cup stage in 2026 carries weight for ranking points and qualification pathways. India's shooting federation is expected to use results from the remaining World Cup legs to finalise the core squad for the Olympic cycle. Both Singh and Bhaker will be closely watched at forthcoming selection trials as the national programme builds momentum toward Los Angeles 2028.