CM Revanth Reddy Congratulates Esha Singh, Manu Bhaker on ISSF Gold, Bronze
Synopsis
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy congratulated Telangana's Esha Singh and Manu Bhaker after they won gold and bronze in the women's 25m pistol event at the ISSF World Cup in Hangzhou, China, calling their shared podium a proud moment for the nation.
Key Takeaways
Esha Singh won the gold medal and Manu Bhaker won the bronze medal in the women's 25m pistol event at the ISSF World Cup, Hangzhou .
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy publicly congratulated both athletes via the official CMO account on 27 July 2026 .
The CM called the dual podium finish 'a proud moment for the nation' and praised the athletes' role in inspiring youth.
Manu Bhaker previously won two bronze medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics , India's best-ever single-Games shooting haul.
Esha Singh is a Telangana-based shooter who has represented India in both junior and senior ISSF competitions.
Both athletes are viewed as leading contenders for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics shooting squad.
The Chief Minister's Office of Telangana announced on Monday, 27 July 2026 that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy extended heartfelt congratulations to Indian shooters Esha Singh and Manu Bhaker after they claimed gold and bronze respectively in the women's 25m pistol event at the ISSF World Cup in Hangzhou, China.
Context
Esha Singh, a pistol shooter from Telangana, won the gold medal in the women's 25m pistol event, while Manu Bhaker secured the bronze medal in the same competition. The Chief Minister described the shared podium finish by two Indian women in a single event as 'a proud moment for the nation.' He lauded their 'determination and success' as a continuing source of inspiration for youth and aspiring sportspersons across India.
Revanth Reddy expressed confidence that 'both Esha Singh and Manu Bhaker will achieve many more milestones and bring greater glory to India on the international stage.' The post was shared under the hashtags #ISSFWorldCup2026, #Hangzhou, #IndianShooting, and #TelanganaSports.
Policy Backdrop
India's rise in international shooting has been supported at the central level through the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), which since 2014 has channelled funding and training resources to elite athletes, including shooters from Telangana. The scheme identifies medal prospects early and provides them structured international exposure.
Manu Bhaker had a landmark year in 2024, winning two bronze medals at the Paris Olympics in pistol events — India's strongest single-Games shooting performance. That achievement prompted widespread recognition from state governments across the country and elevated the profile of women's shooting in the national sporting conversation.
Stakeholders and Impact
The dual podium finish reinforces Telangana's emerging identity as a hub for shooting talent, with Esha Singh serving as a regional icon for the state. Indian state governments have increasingly used public recognition of athlete achievements to signal commitment to sports development and women's empowerment.
For aspiring women athletes across India, the image of two Indian shooters sharing a podium at a premier international circuit carries symbolic weight beyond the medals themselves. Both athletes are widely regarded as strong contenders for selection trials ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
What's Next
Subsequent stages of the ISSF World Cup circuit will serve as critical qualification and ranking events as athletes build their profiles toward the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Performance at these events will influence national selection decisions and the allocation of support under central sports welfare schemes.
The Telangana government may follow this recognition with announcements on state-level sports infrastructure or athlete welfare measures, consistent with a broader national pattern of state investment in identified medal prospects.
Point of View
The Chief Minister's office broadens its political appeal beyond state lines. This fits a well-established pattern where state governments leverage elite athlete success to signal governance competence in sports development, often as a precursor to announcing infrastructure or welfare schemes. With the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics cycle now underway, such recognition also positions the state government as an early and visible supporter of likely Olympic medallists.
NationPress
27 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What medals did Esha Singh and Manu Bhaker win at the ISSF World Cup 2026?
Esha Singh won the gold medal and Manu Bhaker won the bronze medal in the women's 25m pistol event at the ISSF World Cup held in Hangzhou, China in July 2026.
Why did Telangana CM Revanth Reddy congratulate Manu Bhaker if she is not from Telangana?
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy congratulated Manu Bhaker as part of a broader national celebration of two Indian women sharing a shooting podium at the same international event, even as his primary focus was on Telangana's own Esha Singh .
Who is Esha Singh and which state does she represent?
Esha Singh is an Indian pistol shooter from Telangana who has competed in both junior and senior ISSF international competitions and is considered one of India's top women's pistol shooters.
What is the ISSF World Cup and why does it matter for Indian shooters?
The ISSF World Cup is the premier annual international shooting circuit run by the International Shooting Sport Federation . Results at these events influence world rankings and are a key factor in Olympic qualification and national team selection.
What are Manu Bhaker's biggest achievements before the 2026 ISSF World Cup?
Manu Bhaker won two bronze medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics in pistol events, making her the first Indian athlete to win multiple medals at a single edition of the modern Olympics.
