Ace shooter Esha Singh eyes asian games haul after munich world cup gold

Bouncing back from her Paris Olympics disappointment, Hyderabad shooter Esha Singh clinched a world-record gold at the Munich World Cup. Now mentally tougher, the 21-year-old is channeling her focus toward the upcoming September Asian Games and LA 2028

Hyderabad: Esha Singh, the Hyderabad girl with a golden gun in shooting, says the heartbreak of a dismal showing in the 2024 Paris Olympics has only made her feel more hungrier for success.

In an interaction in the City on return after her recent world record breaking show in winning the 25 m pistol gold in the Munich World Cup, Esha recalled she had a long break after Paris Games, one which also taught her to be a better athlete and a person too.

---

“Yes, that phase changed me a lot and it was a different kind of experience for sure. It certainly made me mentally tougher and prepare differently for the challenges ahead,” Esha explained.

“A lot of hard work has paid off. I am grateful to all those who supported me in those testing times, especially my parents who have been the biggest inspiration,” she said.

“Definitely, winning the World Cup gold last week is truly, truly special for it was one of the toughest competitions where qualifying itself was neck and neck,” she said.

“It is good that this World Cup gold has come ahead of the Asian Games this September. I didn’t make any technical changes as such. I had some issues with my grip but could resolve them in time,” Esha said.

“I have just kept everything simple. It was more of staying focused, more of a mental aspect,” she said. “The world record tag with the gold is even more special,” she added.

“Every event I take part is part of the preparations for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Fortunately, at 21, I am quite experienced being into the sport since 11 years,” she said with a smile.

“Neither myself nor my parents ever thought of giving up despite the lows. Definitely, I feel the weight of pressure is still the same,” Esha said.

“Importantly, I play for myself not for anyone else. I am conscious of the fact that I have to do what I do in training,” she said.

Esha’s advice to parents is simple – ensure the kids and they themselves also put in the kind of efforts required to produce results and just not coax the kids to look at some of the big achievers as role models and force them to emulate them.

” Well, the onus is on parents to let the kids relax too, not just shut then out completely,” she said. “There has to be disciplined,” she added.

“For me, my parents are the biggest inspiration. And, I also look upto Greece shooter Anna Korakaki, double Olympics medallist. She is such a wonderful shooter and a great friend who gave me invaluable tips too,” Esha said.

On competition with Olympics medallist and teammate Manu Bhaker, Esha said they were teammates for eight years and enjoy the healthy competition as both compete in same events.

“Winning four medals in the last Asian Ganes has been my most memorable so far and wish to return with richer haul this time around too in September” Esha signed off.