29/September/2023
“Record-Breaking Brilliance: The Inspirational Journey of a Young Shooting Sensation”
In a blaze of glory, Indian shooters have set the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games on fire. Their extraordinary haul of 18 medals in just six days eclipses the previous record set at the 2006 Doha Asian Games, signaling a new era of dominance.
Steering this remarkable achievement is Esha Singh, a mere 18-year-old dynamo, who has emerged as the undisputed star, clinching an impressive quartet of medals—two individual and two team events. Her extraordinary prowess not only anoints her as the most decorated Indian shooter of this edition but also sets the stage for a future legend.
Esha’s meteoric rise began at an astonishing age of 13 when she outshone seasoned champions like Manu Bhaker and Heena Sidhu in the 10m air pistol national championships. This triumph not only marked her as the youngest shooter to seize gold in the senior category but also heralded the arrival of an exceptional talent.
Her accolades extend to the 2019 ISSF Junior World Cup in Germany, where she secured silver in the 10m air pistol women’s event and bronze in the 10m air pistol mixed team event. However, it was at the 2023 World Championships in Baku where Esha truly dazzled, clinching gold in the 10m air pistol mixed team event alongside Shiva Narwal.
Yet, it is her performance at the Asian Games 2023 that catapults Esha into a realm of her own. Let’s delve into the four medals that defined her extraordinary campaign:
- Gold in 25m Pistol Team Event: Partnering with Manu Bhaker and Rhythm Sangwan, Esha showcased unparalleled skill, clinching gold in the women’s 25m pistol event with an aggregate score of 1759.
- Silver in 25m Pistol Individual Event: Following her team’s exceptional display, Esha displayed remarkable individual prowess in the women’s 25m pistol event, finishing with a total score of 34. This outstanding performance placed her just four points behind China’s Liu Rui, who set a new Asian Games record.
- Silver in 10m Air Pistol Individual Event: In a high-stakes face-off, Esha exhibited her mettle. Though facing fierce competition from fellow Indian shooter Palak Gulia, who secured gold, Esha’s silver stood as a testament to her extraordinary talent.
- Silver in 10m Air Pistol Team Event: Partnering with Palak and Divya TS, Esha secured her third medal in the continental event. Her stellar performance led the trio to an aggregate score of 1731 points. Despite their formidable display, China secured gold with a record-breaking score of 1736.
Esha Singh’s extraordinary achievements at the Asian Games 2023 not only anoint her as a shooting sensation but also ignite a flame of inspiration for a generation of aspiring athletes. Her journey is a vivid testament to the boundless potential and unwavering dedication that fuels India’s sporting future.
