CM Rekha Gupta Hails Esha Singh, Manu Bhaker at ISSF World Cup
Synopsis
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta congratulated Esha Singh and Manu Bhaker on winning gold and bronze in the Women's 25m Pistol at the 2026 ISSF World Cup in Hangzhou, praising their achievement as a matter of national pride and wishing them success toward future milestones.
Key Takeaways
Esha Singh won gold and Manu Bhaker won bronze in the Women's 25m Pistol event at the 2026 ISSF World Cup in Hangzhou, China .
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta publicly congratulated both athletes via X on 27 July 2026 .
Manu Bhaker is a two-time Olympic medallist, having previously won bronze at Tokyo 2020 and medals at Paris 2024 .
India's shooting programme has been supported by the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) since 2014 .
ISSF World Cup results feed into Olympic quota allocation for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics .
Shooting has become one of India's most consistent medal-contending sports at the global level over the past decade.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday, 27 July 2026 congratulated Indian shooters Esha Singh and Manu Bhaker after the pair claimed gold and bronze respectively in the Women's 25m Pistol event at the ISSF World Cup in Hangzhou, China. The Chief Minister posted her tribute on X, calling the achievement a moment that has 'made the nation proud'.
Context
Esha Singh secured the gold medal while Manu Bhaker took the bronze in the Women's 25m Pistol discipline at the 2026 ISSF World Cup held in Hangzhou. CM Gupta addressed both athletes directly in her post, writing: 'You have made the nation proud with your remarkable achievement. Wishing you both continued success as you aim for even greater milestones.'
Hangzhou has previously hosted major international shooting competitions, including serving as a venue city during the 2023 Asian Games, making it a familiar stage for elite-level pistol events.
Policy Backdrop
India's rise in competitive shooting has been underpinned by the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), launched in 2014, which provides targeted financial and logistical support to athletes with realistic medal prospects at the Olympics and major international events.
Manu Bhaker is among the most decorated beneficiaries of sustained federation-level investment, having previously won a bronze medal in the 10m Air Pistol event at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and adding further medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Her continued presence on the podium at the 2026 ISSF World Cup underscores India's depth in the pistol shooting discipline. Esha Singh has been a consistent performer in 25m pistol events at the international level, and a gold at a World Cup represents a significant marker in her career trajectory.
Stakeholders and Impact
The double podium finish strengthens India's standing in the ISSF rankings and carries implications for Olympic qualification pathways ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Performance at ISSF World Cup legs is a key metric used in determining quota allocations for the Games.
Indian political leaders across parties have increasingly used social media platforms to amplify athlete achievements in shooting and other Olympic disciplines, reflecting the sport's growing visibility in the national consciousness. CM Gupta's post follows this established pattern among state-level leaders who highlight central government sports narratives while expressing regional pride.
What's Next
Both Esha Singh and Manu Bhaker are expected to continue competing across the remaining legs of the 2026 ISSF World Cup circuit. Each result will factor into India's overall qualification picture for Los Angeles 2028, where shooting is expected to remain one of the country's strongest medal-contending disciplines. The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) will be closely monitoring performances to finalise training and competition schedules through the qualification window.
Point of View
Particularly in disciplines where India has built a credible Olympic pedigree. Shooting's steady rise as a medal sport gives such posts substantive grounding beyond ceremonial optics. The timing — during an active ISSF World Cup cycle with Los Angeles 2028 qualification at stake — adds policy relevance, as podium finishes directly influence quota allocations. It also signals continued political attention to sports diplomacy at the state level, even when the policy levers sit with the central government.
NationPress
27 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won gold in the Women's 25m Pistol at the 2026 ISSF World Cup?
Esha Singh won the gold medal in the Women's 25m Pistol event at the 2026 ISSF World Cup in Hangzhou, China .
What medal did Manu Bhaker win at the 2026 ISSF World Cup in Hangzhou?
Manu Bhaker secured the bronze medal in the Women's 25m Pistol event at the 2026 ISSF World Cup held in Hangzhou .
What did Delhi CM Rekha Gupta say about Esha Singh and Manu Bhaker?
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta congratulated both shooters on 27 July 2026 , saying they had 'made the nation proud' and wishing them success toward 'even greater milestones'.
What is the ISSF World Cup and why does it matter for Indian shooters?
The ISSF World Cup is an annual series of international shooting competitions organised by the International Shooting Sport Federation . Results at these events contribute to Olympic quota allocations, making them critical for India's 2028 Los Angeles Olympics preparation.
What Olympic medals has Manu Bhaker won before the 2026 ISSF World Cup?
Manu Bhaker previously won a bronze medal in the 10m Air Pistol at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and added further medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics , establishing herself as one of India's leading pistol shooters.
