Esha Singh's Strategic Finals Skip Leads to Asian Shooting Championships Gold
In a bold and unconventional move that initially puzzled the Indian shooting community, pistol prodigy Esha Singh deliberately skipped four domestic finals earlier this year. The 21-year-old shooter, known for her international medal collection, chose to focus on mental preparation rather than participate in every competition. This strategic decision culminated in a dominant performance at the Asian Shooting Championships, where Singh claimed the gold medal in women's 10m air pistol with a commanding 4.8-point margin.
The Unusual Strategy That Paid Off
At the beginning of the year, Singh created confusion by qualifying for finals at shooting nationals and domestic trials, only to withdraw from participation. For an athlete with medals from nearly every major international competition except an Olympic podium finish, these absences seemed inexplicable. However, her coach Ronak Pandit defended the approach, explaining that as a seasoned athlete, Singh didn't need additional finals training at that moment.
Instead, Singh dedicated just four days to intensive mental preparation before the Asian Championships. She focused on visualizing her finals routine and rehearsing pressure moments in her mind. This psychological work proved crucial when she arrived at the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range in Delhi and delivered a gold-medal performance with a score of 239.8, defeating silver medalist Ching-yen Chen of Taiwan.
Navigating India's Most Competitive Shooting Discipline
Singh's achievement becomes even more significant considering the intense competition within India's women's 10m air pistol squad. The field includes:
- Double Paris Olympics medalist Manu Bhaker
- Former world record holder Rhythm Sangwan
- Rising star Suruchi Phogat, who has already claimed three World Cup victories in 2025
All three competitors made Wednesday's final, but only Singh reached the podium, demonstrating her ability to perform under pressure in what might be India's most brutally competitive shooting discipline.
The Mental and Physical Transformation
Since her Paris Olympics performance, Singh has emerged as India's most consistent pistol shooter with impressive results:
- Gold at the Ningbo World Cup
- Silver at Buenos Aires
- Silver at the Asian Championships in Shymkent
- Her first-ever senior World Championship medal
Coach Pandit emphasizes that Singh's improvement hasn't come from quick fixes or equipment changes. "Generally, all athletes look for external secrets or quick-fix solutions," Pandit explains. "But the only way of improving is to develop your own skills." He uses the metaphor that changing your pen won't improve your handwriting—you must work on the writing itself.
For Singh, this has meant focusing on stability through conditioned workouts and placing herself in pressure situations designed to maintain composure. Despite still being on a learning curve—evident in her occasional slow starts during matches—she continues to win consistently.
The Grueling Reality of Elite Shooting
The timing of Singh's peak performance matters significantly with major competitions approaching. Both the Asian Games and World Championships offer pathways to the Los Angeles Olympics, making strategic peaking essential. Singh acknowledges the relentless nature of elite shooting in India, where athletes maintain a constant state of motion across continents.
"To be honest, every year is the same," Singh admits. "We're always on the run. Every two weeks, my suitcase comes out. I have to pack. I got used to it, I guess." This reality requires continuous hours dedicated to recovery between competitions, even as the Indian squad has been split into two groups this year.
Rising Stars on the Men's Side
While Singh dominated the women's competition, 21-year-old Samrat Rana continued his remarkable run on the men's side. The World Championship gold medalist added an Asian Championships bronze to his growing collection from 2025, which already includes a World Cup final medal. Coached by his father and competing solo at shooting ranges worldwide, Rana demonstrated exceptional composure under pressure.
In the men's 10m pistol event, Rana started slowly alongside fellow Indian shooter Sharvan Kumar. After 18 shots, both were positioned for medals, but Kumar's nerves betrayed him on his 20th shot with an 8.7 that dropped him to fourth place. Rana remained composed, hitting the 10-ring on five of his final six shots to secure his first Asian Championships bronze.
The Lesson in Selective Competition
For India's young shooting talents, the message from Singh's strategic approach is clear: consistency under pressure isn't about showing up to every final. Sometimes, it's about showing up when it truly counts—with a sharp mind, stable body, and readiness to seize gold. Singh's calculated decision to skip domestic finals for focused mental preparation demonstrates that elite performance requires strategic planning as much as physical training, especially in a sport where psychological strength often determines victory.
