Goyal hails Esha Singh, Manu Bhaker's ISSF World Cup medals
Synopsis
Union Minister Piyush Goyal congratulated Esha Singh and Manu Bhaker on winning Gold and Bronze respectively in the Women's 25m Pistol event at the 2026 ISSF World Cup, hailing the double podium finish as an expression of Nari Shakti and a source of national pride.
Key Takeaways
Esha Singh won the Gold medal in the Women's 25m Pistol event at the 2026 ISSF World Cup .
Manu Bhaker claimed the Bronze medal in the same event, giving India a double podium finish.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal publicly congratulated both shooters on 27 July 2026 , invoking the theme of Nari Shakti .
Manu Bhaker previously won two Bronze medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics , India's best shooting haul at a single Games.
The Khelo India programme, launched in 2017 , has been a key policy driver behind India's growing depth in shooting sports.
Both athletes are likely to be central to India's shooting contingent for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics qualification cycle.
Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday, 27 July 2026 congratulated Indian shooters Esha Singh and Manu Bhaker after the duo claimed Gold and Bronze medals respectively in the Women's 25m Pistol event at the ISSF World Cup, calling their feat an embodiment of 'Nari Shakti.'
Context
Goyal took to X to share his congratulations, writing that the achievement 'has made the nation proud and will inspire countless athletes, especially young girls, to pursue excellence and bring greater glory to India on the global stage.' The minister invoked the phrase Nari Shakti — women's power — a recurring motif in official communication around female sporting success.
Esha Singh claimed the Gold while Manu Bhaker secured the Bronze in the same event, giving India a double podium finish in the discipline. The result continued a strong run for Indian women in pistol shooting at international competitions.
Policy Backdrop
India's rise in shooting sports has been underpinned by sustained government investment since the mid-2010s, including foreign coaching partnerships and upgraded infrastructure. The Khelo India programme, launched in 2017, has played a central role in identifying and nurturing grassroots talent across disciplines, with shooting among the priority sports.
Manu Bhaker became a household name after winning two Bronze medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics — India's best shooting performance at a single Games — a milestone that renewed official and public focus on the sport. Esha Singh has built a consistent record in 25m Pistol events across Asian and ISSF circuits, making the two shooters a formidable combination for India.
Stakeholders and Impact
The double-podium result is significant for women shooters and aspiring female athletes across the country. Ministers and senior officials routinely amplify such achievements on public platforms, connecting individual success to the broader narrative of women's empowerment — a theme that enjoys bipartisan political currency in India.
For the ISSF World Cup circuit, India has emerged as one of the most competitive nations in shooting, and results of this kind strengthen the country's standing in global rankings and selection conversations ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
What's Next
Attention will now turn to India's performance in the remaining legs of the 2026 ISSF World Cup series as the national shooting federation and selectors assess form ahead of the LA 2028 Olympic qualification cycle. Both Esha Singh and Manu Bhaker are expected to be central to India's pistol shooting contingent in the coming years. Their continued success at World Cup level will be a key benchmark for Olympic selection.
Point of View
Visible, and pitched squarely at the Nari Shakti narrative that the ruling establishment has cultivated as a core brand pillar. By naming both medalists and invoking inspiration for 'young girls,' Goyal signals that women's sporting success is now a routine instrument of soft-power messaging for senior BJP leaders. The timing also matters: with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics qualification cycle approaching, high-profile ministerial endorsements help sustain public and institutional momentum around shooting, one of India's most reliable medal sports. The broader pattern suggests that individual athletic wins are increasingly absorbed into a larger political story about India's global rise.
NationPress
27 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won gold in 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 , while Manu Bhaker claimed the Bronze in the same event.
What did Piyush Goyal say about Esha Singh and Manu Bhaker?
Minister Piyush Goyal said their achievement 'has made the nation proud' and will inspire countless athletes, especially young girls, to pursue excellence and bring greater glory to India on the global stage.
What is Manu Bhaker known for in shooting?
Manu Bhaker is one of India's most decorated shooters, best known for winning two Bronze medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics — the best shooting performance by India at a single Olympic Games.
What is the ISSF World Cup?
The ISSF World Cup is an annual series of international shooting competitions organised by the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) , the global governing body for the sport.
How has India supported its shooting athletes?
India has invested in shooting through foreign coaching partnerships, upgraded infrastructure, and the Khelo India programme launched in 2017 , which identifies and trains grassroots talent across priority sports including shooting.
