Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday, 27 July 2026 congratulated Indian shooters Esha Singh and Manu Bhaker after they claimed gold and bronze medals respectively in the 25m Pistol event at the ISSF World Cup 2026.

What the Minister said

Singh extended his 'heartiest congratulations' to Esha Singh for winning the Gold Medal and to Manu Bhaker for securing the Bronze Medal in the 25m Pistol event. He wrote that their 'remarkable performance reflect India's dominance in shooting and the growing strength of our sporting ecosystem,' adding a call for the two athletes to 'continue to scale greater heights, bring many more laurels to the nation, and inspire countless young Indians to pursue sports with passion and determination.'

Context

Manu Bhaker is one of India's most decorated pistol shooters, having represented the country at the Olympics and across multiple International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) events. Esha Singh is an emerging talent in senior international shooting competitions, steadily building a record in pistol events on the world stage.

The ISSF is the global governing body for Olympic and World Cup shooting competitions. India has become a consistent presence at the top of ISSF rankings in recent years, buoyed by expanded domestic ranges, foreign training stints, and central government funding for elite athletes.

Policy backdrop

India's rise in competitive shooting is underpinned by two flagship programmes. The Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), launched in 2014, provides elite shooters with specialised coaching, equipment support, and international exposure. The Khelo India programme, initiated in 2017, builds grassroots talent pipelines that feed into national shooting squads.

Together, these schemes have helped convert raw talent into medal-winning performances at the highest levels of international competition. Private academies and state-level infrastructure investments have complemented the central government's push, creating a broader ecosystem for precision sports.

Stakeholders and impact

The wins by Esha Singh and Manu Bhaker carry significance beyond the medal tally. For young athletes across India, high-profile performances at ISSF World Cups serve as visible proof that shooting offers a credible pathway to international recognition. The Defence Minister's message also underscores the longstanding cultural and institutional overlap between precision shooting sports and the traditions of India's armed forces.

Coaches, state shooting associations, and national selectors will view these results as positive signals ahead of the qualification cycle for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where India will aim to build on its recent Olympic shooting record.

What's next

India's attention now turns to the remaining 2026 ISSF World Cup legs and domestic selection trials, which will determine the squad composition for the Los Angeles Games. Both Esha Singh and Manu Bhaker are expected to be central figures in that process. Sustained performances at this level would strengthen India's case for a broader shooting medal haul at the 2028 Olympics, continuing a trajectory that government schemes and athlete dedication have built over the past decade.