HYDERABAD: After a disappointing performance at the Paris Olympics where she failed to finish on the podium, Indian shooter Esha Singh made a remarkable comeback by setting a world record at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup in Munich. The 21-year-old from Hyderabad scored 43 in the 25m air pistol final, a record that she described as a much-needed confidence booster ahead of the Asian Games.
Overcoming Adversity
Reflecting on her journey, Esha said, "The period after the Paris Olympics was tough. But I realised that that was the lowest point any athlete could go. I bounced back and refocused on my goals. Having competed in tough situations and many tournaments, I realised that shooting is 90% mental game. So, I became strong mentally."
Preparation and Execution
Esha credited her success to rigorous training and the ability to execute what she practiced during competition. She revealed that she traveled to Germany well in advance to address a persistent issue with her grip. "I have been struggling with my grip since November last year. I went to Germany well in advance to address it. I trained a lot for the tournament. This is one of the toughest tournaments in the world and to come out with a gold is very satisfying, and the world record score is just the icing on the cake. It hasn't sunk in yet," she said on Thursday.
Additional Achievements
In addition to her gold medal performance, Esha also won a silver in the 10m air pistol event. She spoke about her friendly rivalry with double-Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker, stating, "We have been in the team for almost eight years. I think she's an amazing competition for me. I think both of us motivate each other to play better. And I think every sportsman should have somebody like that, otherwise you don't have somebody to compete with. It's a very fun competition that we have. I'm grateful to have her by my side."
Looking Ahead to Asian Games
With the Asian Games on the horizon, Esha believes the World Cup gold has boosted her confidence. "Performances like these motivate us a lot. This is one of the toughest tournaments, and to win here gives me a lot of confidence. Of course, my next target is to win gold in the Asian Games. But I don't focus on the name of the tournament. Whenever I step into the competition in any tournament, my aim is to give my 100% for the country," she added.
Experience as a Foundation
Esha acknowledged that the period after the Paris Olympics was challenging, but her decade-long experience in shooting helped her balance success and failure. "I know I am still very young, but I have been shooting for close to 11 years now. So that experience has come in handy for me," she concluded.
