Shivraj Singh Chouhan Hails Esha Singh, Manu Bhaker at ISSF World Cup
Synopsis
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan congratulated Esha Singh and Manu Bhaker on winning gold and bronze respectively in the Women's 25m Pistol Final at the ISSF World Cup on 27 July 2026, calling their achievement a moment of national pride.
Key Takeaways
Esha Singh won gold in the Women's 25m Pistol Final at the ISSF World Cup .
Manu Bhaker secured bronze in the same event on 27 July 2026 .
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan publicly congratulated both athletes on X.
Manu Bhaker previously won bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in the 10m Air Pistol event.
Indian shooting has been supported by the Khelo India programme since 2017 and saw a turning point after Abhinav Bindra 's gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics .
Both athletes are likely to continue competing in the ISSF World Cup series ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics .
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan 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 25m Pistol Final at the ISSF World Cup.
Context
Chouhan took to X to express his congratulations, writing: 'I congratulate Esha Singh on clinching Gold and Manu Bhaker on securing the Bronze medal in the Women's 25m Pistol Final at the ISSF World Cup.' He described the moment as one that makes 'the entire nation proud,' extending his best wishes to both athletes for continued success.
The post reflects a broader pattern of Indian ministers across portfolios publicly acknowledging athletes' international performances, particularly in shooting — a discipline that has gained sustained visibility following India's improved results on the global stage over the past two decades.
Policy Backdrop
Indian shooting has benefited from structured government investment since Abhinav Bindra's landmark individual gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics — India's first — which catalysed infrastructure development across the discipline. The Khelo India programme, launched in 2017, further institutionalised support for young athletes across sports including shooting, providing pathways for talent identification and competitive exposure.
Manu Bhaker is among the most decorated products of this ecosystem. She won bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in the 10m Air Pistol event and has accumulated multiple ISSF World Cup medals across her career. Esha Singh has been a consistent performer in pistol events at ISSF competitions and her gold in the Women's 25m Pistol Final marks a significant result at this level.
Stakeholders and Impact
The congratulatory message from a senior Union Cabinet minister underscores the political and institutional attention that Indian shooting commands. Cross-government recognition of this kind reinforces public and private interest in the sport, which in turn influences sponsorship, coaching infrastructure, and athlete welfare support.
For young shooters watching from the grassroots level, high-profile acknowledgements from figures such as Chouhan — a former four-term Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh and a senior BJP leader — carry symbolic weight, affirming that competitive shooting is a viable and nationally celebrated career path.
What's Next
Both Esha Singh and Manu Bhaker are expected to remain active in subsequent rounds of the ISSF World Cup series as Indian shooting builds its competitive calendar with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics in view. Any updates to athlete support schemes under programmes such as Khelo India will be closely watched by the shooting community and sports administrators alike.
Point of View
Engaging with a sporting milestone broadens his public persona beyond policy. The specific mention of 'young athletes' and 'hard work' aligns with the government's broader Khelo India narrative, linking grassroots investment to elite results. With the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics on the horizon, such public affirmations from Cabinet members are likely to intensify as India's medal ambitions grow.
NationPress
27 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Esha Singh and what did she win at the ISSF World Cup 2026?
Esha Singh is an Indian pistol shooter who won the gold medal in the Women's 25m Pistol Final at the 2026 ISSF World Cup.
What medal did Manu Bhaker win at the ISSF World Cup Women's 25m Pistol event?
Manu Bhaker won the bronze medal in the Women's 25m Pistol Final at the ISSF World Cup on 27 July 2026.
Who is Manu Bhaker and what are her major achievements?
Manu Bhaker is an Indian pistol shooter who won bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in the 10m Air Pistol event and has won multiple ISSF World Cup medals across her career.
Why did Shivraj Singh Chouhan congratulate Esha Singh and Manu Bhaker?
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan congratulated Esha Singh and Manu Bhaker on their gold and bronze medals respectively in the Women's 25m Pistol Final at the ISSF World Cup, calling it a moment of national pride.
What is the ISSF World Cup in shooting?
The ISSF World Cup is an annual international shooting competition series organised by the International Shooting Sport Federation, featuring events across rifle, pistol, and shotgun disciplines.
