Esha Singh delivered a historic performance at the ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol in Munich on Wednesday, 27 May, setting a world record score of 43 in the women's 25m pistol final to claim gold at the Olympic Shooting Range. The 21-year-old Olympian, a three-time world championship medallist and double Asian Games medallist, also broke the junior world record in the same effort — a landmark double that announced her arrival at the very top of the discipline.

A Commanding Final

Esha shot perfect fives in five of the ten series of five shots, building an early and insurmountable lead over the field of eight. Germany's home favourite and former world champion Doreen Vennekamp finished silver, a full five shots adrift, while Bulgaria's Miroslava Mincheva claimed bronze. Notably, reigning Olympic champion Yang Jiin — whose junior world record of 41 Esha also surpassed — bowed out in fifth place.

The new world record of 43 betters the previous mark of 42 set by South Korea's Kim Yeji in Baku two years ago. It was also India's first medal of the Munich World Cup after two days of competition, and Esha's fourth individual World Cup medal.

How the Record Unfolded

Esha's day began early on Wednesday morning with a 294 in the rapid-fire round of qualification, complementing her 293 in the precision round on Tuesday, to post a combined qualifying score of 587 and secure the fourth spot in the final. In the final itself, she opened with three consecutive perfect fives, immediately separating herself from the field. The sixth and eighth series were again perfect, and while she closed with a four and a three, the total of 43 was enough to rewrite the record books.

Fellow Indians Manu Bhaker and Rahi Sarnobat shot 582 and 581 respectively, finishing 12th and 14th in the 98-strong qualification field and did not advance to the final.

Esha on Nerves and Process

Speaking after the final, Esha said, 'Munich meant a lot to me. Everyone knows the kind of competition that goes on here, especially in pistol. I mean, even getting into the top eight is very tight. I really wanted to win this, as this was my third time here. I am really grateful and loved the experience. I just focused on myself, my process, and the things I did in training, and it just paid off.'

On managing pressure, the world record holder added, 'I wasn't calm at all. At one time, when trying to hear the command, I could almost feel my left hand shaking. I had a lot of nerves, but in our sport you can't escape that. You have to face it and embrace it, and that is what experience is all about.'

Other Indian Results at Munich

In the women's 50m rifle 3 positions (3P) event, Ashi Chouksey narrowly missed the final, finishing 10th effectively (12th overall) with a score of 589 — one point short of the eighth and final qualifying spot taken by Switzerland's Emely Jaeggi on 590. Reigning Olympic champion Chiara Leone of Switzerland also missed the final, finishing 28th with 587. Norway's Jeanette Hegg Duestad won gold in the event, ahead of Britain's Seonaid Mcintosh (silver) and Germany's Anna Janssen (bronze). Vidarsa Vinod shot 588 to finish 14th overall, while Tilottama Sen posted 583 for 48th place.

On Thursday, the women's 10m air rifle final takes centre stage, with Indian hopes resting on Olympian Elavenil Valarivan, Arya Borse, and debutant Sakshi Padekar.