What Happened to Manu Bhaker and Esha Singh at the ISSF World Championships?
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Synopsis
In a gripping showdown at the ISSF World Championships in Cairo, India's star shooters Manu Bhaker and Esha Singh faced unexpected challenges in the women's 10m air pistol final. Both athletes started strong but ultimately fell short of individual medals. Discover how they performed and the team's silver medal achievement.
Key Takeaways
- Manu Bhaker finished seventh after a costly shot.
- Esha Singh placed sixth following a strong start.
- India won the team silver medal with a combined score of 1740.
- China dominated the event, clinching gold and silver.
- Indian shooters continue to show promise on the international stage.
Cairo (Egypt), Nov 10 (NationPress) India's leading pistol shooters Manu Bhaker and Esha Singh faced disappointment in the women's 10m air pistol final at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Championship Rifle/Pistol in Cairo on Monday, both narrowly missing out on individual medals despite strong performances.
Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker, who previously secured bronze medals in both individual and mixed team events at the Paris Olympics, initially seemed poised for victory. However, a critical 8.8 on her 14th shot caused her to drop from first to seventh place, concluding her run with a score of 139.5.
Esha Singh, a multiple Asian Games medallist who recently clinched World Cup gold in Ningbo, China, also stumbled in the final stretch. The 20-year-old registered a disappointing 8.4 on her 14th attempt after an impressive 10.7, ultimately finishing sixth among the eight finalists.
China's Yao Qianxun, also aged 20, exhibited exceptional poise to secure gold with a score of 243.0, while Ho Ching Shing from Hong Kong-China earned silver (241.2) and Wei Qian of China took bronze (221.4).
Despite the individual setbacks, India found solace in winning the team silver medal, as Esha (583), Manu Bhaker (580), and world No.1 Suruchi Inder Singh (577) combined for a total of 1740, placing second behind China.
Both Manu and Esha qualified impressively for the final. Esha, who became India's youngest national champion in air pistol at just 13, scored 583 in qualification, including a perfect 100 in her third series, finishing fourth. Manu closely followed with a score of 580, positioning herself sixth.
At one point, Manu took the lead with a 10.7 on her 13th shot, but the unfortunate 8.8 dashed her medal hopes. The third Indian shooter, 19-year-old Suruchi Inder Singh, who has secured four World Cup gold medals this year, finished 14th with a score of 577 in a highly competitive field of 99 shooters.
Currently, India ranks fifth on the medals table with one gold, three silvers, and two bronzes, while China leads with six golds, three silvers, and two bronzes.
Point of View
It is crucial to recognize the resilience of our athletes. Despite the disappointments faced by Manu Bhaker and Esha Singh in individual events, their collective strength led to a commendable team silver. This performance highlights the competitive spirit and potential of Indian shooters on the world stage, reaffirming our commitment to supporting them.
NationPress
10/11/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What medals did India win at the ISSF World Championships?
India secured one gold, three silver, and two bronze medals, placing fifth in the overall medal tally.
How did Manu Bhaker perform in the final?
Manu Bhaker finished seventh in the women's 10m air pistol final with a score of 139.5 after a disappointing 14th shot.
What was Esha Singh's final ranking?
Esha Singh finished sixth in the final, scoring 139.5 after a strong start.
Who won the gold medal in the event?
China's Yao Qianxun won the gold medal with a score of 243.0.
What was the significance of the team silver medal for India?
The team silver medal reflects the strength and potential of Indian shooters, showcasing their ability to perform on the world stage.
