BJP leader Smriti Irani on Monday, 27 July 2026, congratulated Indian shooters Esha Singh and Manu Bhaker after the pair delivered a double podium finish for India in the Women's 25m Pistol event at the ISSF World Cup. Esha Singh claimed the gold medal while Manu Bhaker secured the bronze, giving India back-to-back celebrations on the international shooting circuit.

Context

Irani, a senior BJP leader and former Union Minister who has consistently championed youth and women's achievement, described the results as a 'double delight for India.' She noted that the 'remarkable achievements reflect India's growing excellence in shooting' and expressed hope that the medals would 'inspire countless young athletes to aim higher.'

The ISSF World Cup is an annual series of elite shooting competitions organised by the International Shooting Sport Federation. The circuit serves as a critical ranking and qualification platform for shooters building their profiles ahead of the Olympic cycle.

Policy Backdrop

India's investment in shooting as a priority Olympic discipline has deepened over the past decade. The Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) and the National Sports Development Fund have provided dedicated coaching, international exposure, and financial support to pistol shooters since 2016.

The results of that sustained investment were visible at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where Indian shooters won four medals — the country's best-ever tally in the sport at a single Games. Manu Bhaker was among the standout performers in Paris, establishing herself as one of India's most decorated pistol shooters in recent memory.

Stakeholders and Impact

Esha Singh has built a consistent record across junior and senior international competitions in pistol events. Her gold in the Women's 25m Pistol at this stage of the 2026 ISSF World Cup reinforces India's depth in a discipline that has historically delivered Olympic podium finishes.

Manu Bhaker's bronze adds to a growing list of international honours and keeps her firmly in contention for selection as India begins to shape its squad for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics cycle. For young athletes across the country, the visibility of two Indian women on the same podium at a marquee international event carries significant aspirational weight.

What's Next

India's shooting contingent will continue competing across the remaining stages of the 2026 ISSF World Cup series, with each result feeding into world rankings and Olympic qualification calculations ahead of Los Angeles 2028. National selection trials are expected to intensify as the qualification window approaches, making consistent performances at events like this one especially consequential.

The twin podium finish signals that India's pipeline in pistol shooting remains robust — and that the infrastructure built over the past decade is producing results not just at one-off events, but consistently across the international calendar.