HP CM Office Hails Esha Singh, Manu Bhaker at ISSF World Cup
Synopsis
The Chief Minister's Office of Himachal Pradesh congratulated Esha Singh and Manu Bhaker after they won gold and bronze medals respectively in the Women's 25-Metre Pistol event at the ISSF World Cup in Hangzhou, China, on 27 July 2026.
Key Takeaways
Esha Singh won the gold medal in the Women's 25-Metre Pistol event at the ISSF World Cup in Hangzhou, China .
Manu Bhaker claimed the bronze medal in the same event, giving India two podium finishes.
The Chief Minister's Office of Himachal Pradesh issued a formal congratulatory message on 27 July 2026 .
Manu Bhaker previously won two bronze medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics , establishing herself as a top-ranked pistol shooter.
India's women's pistol contingent has shown consistent improvement at ISSF World Cups over the past decade, backed by the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) .
The Chief Minister's Office of Himachal Pradesh on Monday, 27 July 2026 congratulated Indian shooters Esha Singh and Manu Bhaker after they claimed gold and bronze medals respectively in the Women's 25-Metre Pistol event at the ISSF World Cup held in Hangzhou, China.
Context
The official CMO Himachal Pradesh account posted in Hindi, stating: 'चीन के हांगझोउ में आयोजित ISSF विश्व कप की महिला 25 मीटर पिस्टल स्पर्धा में ईशा सिंह जी ने स्वर्ण पदक और मनु भाकर जी ने कांस्य पदक जीतकर देश का गौरव बढ़ाया है।' ('Esha Singh has won the gold medal and Manu Bhaker has won the bronze medal in the Women's 25-Metre Pistol event at the ISSF World Cup held in Hangzhou, China, bringing glory to the nation.')
The post extended 'heartfelt congratulations and best wishes' to both athletes, adding: 'The country is proud of this splendid achievement by both of you.' The message reflects a growing pattern of state governments formally recognising national sports achievements to build wider public support for shooting as a discipline.
Policy Backdrop
Indian shooting has benefited significantly from the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), launched in 2014, which provides targeted financial and training support to elite athletes competing at the international level. The scheme has been credited with helping shooters access world-class coaching, equipment, and competitive exposure abroad.
Manu Bhaker is among India's most decorated pistol shooters in recent memory, having won two bronze medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics — a landmark achievement that renewed national interest in the sport. Esha Singh has also established herself as a formidable presence on the senior international circuit, including performances at Asian Championships.
Stakeholders and Impact
Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province in China, has hosted multiple high-level international shooting competitions, making it a familiar venue for elite athletes. A gold and bronze finish in the same individual event underscores the depth India has developed in women's pistol shooting.
For the broader shooting ecosystem — coaches, state academies, and young aspirants — results like these serve as both validation of existing support structures and an argument for sustained investment. State-level recognition from offices such as the CMO Himachal Pradesh amplifies visibility beyond the core sports audience.
What's Next
Attention will now turn to the remaining legs of the 2026 ISSF World Cup series and the composition of India's national squad for upcoming major championships. Both Esha Singh and Manu Bhaker are expected to remain central to India's pistol contingent as the country looks to convert World Cup momentum into podium finishes at marquee events.
If India's women's pistol shooters maintain this trajectory, the discipline could emerge as one of the country's most reliable sources of international medals in the years ahead.
Point of View
The bronze adds to a post-Paris Olympic run that has made her one of India's most marketable athletes. The broader arc here is India's deliberate, policy-backed effort to convert shooting into a consistent medal discipline at the global level.
NationPress
27 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won gold at the ISSF World Cup 2026 in Hangzhou in women's 25m pistol?
Esha Singh of India won the gold medal in the Women's 25-Metre Pistol event at the ISSF World Cup held in Hangzhou, China, in July 2026.
What medal did Manu Bhaker win at the ISSF World Cup 2026 Hangzhou?
Manu Bhaker won the bronze medal in the Women's 25-Metre Pistol event at the ISSF World Cup in Hangzhou, China, in July 2026.
Where is the ISSF World Cup 2026 being held?
One leg of the 2026 ISSF World Cup was held in Hangzhou , the capital of Zhejiang province in China.
What is the ISSF World Cup in shooting?
The ISSF World Cup is a series of international shooting competitions organised by the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) , the world governing body for Olympic shooting disciplines, held across multiple host cities each year.
How has India performed in shooting at ISSF World Cups recently?
India has recorded steady improvement in pistol and rifle events at ISSF World Cups over the past decade, supported by the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) launched in 2014. Manu Bhaker's two bronze medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics marked a high point for Indian shooting.
