21-year-old shooter from Bhopal shines on Day 1 as India dominates medal tally with nine podium finishes
India opened its campaign at the Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship 2026 on a spectacular note, as young shooting star Esha Singh clinched India’s first gold medal of the tournament. The 21-year-old from Bhopal delivered a calm and confident performance to win the women’s 10m air pistol final, setting the tone for a dominant Day 1 for the Indian shooting contingent.
With multiple medals across individual and team events, India finished the opening day on top of the medal tally, underlining its growing strength in Asian shooting competitions.
Esha Singh’s Golden Moment in Women’s 10m Air Pistol
Esha Singh produced a composed and high-quality display in the women’s 10m air pistol final, holding her nerve under pressure to outscore Cheng Yen-Ching of Chinese Taipei.
Her victory not only earned India its first gold of the championship, but also marked Esha’s second gold medal at the Asian Championship level, confirming her status as one of India’s most promising pistol shooters.
Observers praised her shot consistency, focus in the final rounds, and ability to stay calm when the margins tightened.
A Big Confidence Boost for Indian Shooting
Esha’s win is being seen as a major confidence booster for the Indian team early in the tournament. Coaches and officials believe such a strong start helps young athletes settle quickly and maintain momentum in the days ahead.
For Esha herself, the gold medal is another milestone in a career that has steadily progressed from junior success to senior-level dominance.
Strong Showing in Men’s 10m Air Pistol
India’s success was not limited to the women’s event. In the men’s 10m air pistol, Samrat Rana delivered a solid performance to win the bronze medal.
Competing against a strong field of Asian shooters, Rana’s podium finish added to India’s growing medal count and highlighted the depth in India’s pistol shooting program.
Mixed Team Event: Silver with a World Junior Record
One of the most exciting results of the day came in the 10m air pistol mixed team event, where Suruchi Singh and Samrat Rana combined brilliantly to win the silver medal.
What made their performance truly special was the world junior record score of 479.6, underlining the pair’s exceptional coordination and accuracy. The record-breaking effort drew praise from coaches and international observers, who described it as one of the standout moments of Day 1.
Women’s Team Gold: India’s Depth on Display
India’s dominance continued in the women’s team 10m air pistol event, where the trio of Esha Singh, Suruchi Singh, and Manu Bhaker combined to win the gold medal.
The victory highlighted India’s impressive depth in women’s pistol shooting, with all three athletes contributing strong scores. For Manu Bhaker, already a well-known name in Indian shooting, the team gold added to her list of international achievements.
Men’s Team Adds Silver to the Medal Tally
The Indian men’s team also put in a commendable effort, finishing with a silver medal in their team event. While they narrowly missed gold, the result further strengthened India’s position at the top of the standings.
By the end of Day 1, India had amassed nine podium finishes, a remarkable haul that placed the country firmly ahead of its Asian rivals.
India Tops the Medal Table on Day 1
Thanks to multiple gold, silver, and bronze medals across events, India ended the opening day leading the overall medal tally at the championship. Officials described the performance as one of the best Day 1 showings by India at an Asian shooting event in recent years.
The early success has raised expectations for the remaining days, with several top Indian shooters still scheduled to compete.
Why This Championship Matters for Indian Shooting
The Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship is considered one of the most competitive shooting tournaments outside the Olympics and World Championships. Strong performances here are often seen as indicators of future success on the global stage.
For India, the 2026 edition is particularly important as:
- It tests young shooters against elite Asian competition
- It builds experience ahead of future Olympic cycles
- It strengthens India’s reputation as a shooting powerhouse
- Rising Stars and Experienced Names Shine Together
One of the key takeaways from Day 1 was the blend of youth and experience in the Indian team. Young athletes like Esha Singh and Suruchi Singh delivered standout performances, while experienced shooters like Manu Bhaker provided stability and leadership.
This balance is seen as a major strength for Indian shooting going forward.
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What’s Next for Team India?
With several more events still to come, India will look to:
- Maintain consistency across individual finals
- Convert silvers and bronzes into golds
- Continue strong performances in team events
Coaches have emphasized the importance of staying focused and avoiding complacency after a strong start.
Final Thoughts
Esha Singh’s gold medal in the women’s 10m air pistol has given India the perfect start at the Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship 2026. Her calm, confident performance, combined with record-breaking team efforts and multiple podium finishes, reflects the rising standard of Indian shooting.
As the championship progresses, India’s shooters will aim to build on this momentum and further cement the country’s position as one of Asia’s leading forces in the sport.
With talent, preparation, and confidence on their side, Team India’s shooting stars have set the bar high right from Day 1.
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