“It’s going to be a very memorable...”: Indian shooter Esha Singh reflects on dramatic Asian Games silver medal
Indian shooter Esha Singh shares her journey of resilience after a nail-biting silver medal win at the Asian Games 2026.
Indian shooter Esha Singh has described her journey at the Asian Games 2026 as an emotional rollercoaster defined by intense pressure, unexpected hurdles, and ultimate pride. After a difficult start to her campaign, Singh managed to secure a silver medal in the 25m pistol event, a feat she considers one of her most significant achievements due to the dramatic circumstances surrounding it.
From disappointment to redemption
The competition was not easy for Singh from the outset. Her performance in the 10m event fell short of her expectations, a setback she addressed with maturity. Returning to New Delhi on Tuesday, she reflected on the human element of elite sports, noting that while things did not go according to plan initially, the experience provided the fuel needed for her comeback in the 25m pistol discipline.
“We had an amazing camp in Bhopal. It was quite a long camp, we had two camps like that, and we went into the Asian Games fully prepared,” Singh told ANI. “Of course, the 10m event didn’t go the way I wanted. I’m human, and sometimes things just don’t work out. But I’m going to go back, work on it, and come back stronger.”
A nail-biting shoot-off for gold
The 25m pistol final turned into a high-stakes thriller at the Aichi Prefectural General Shooting Gallery. Singh found herself locked in a fierce battle with China’s Xiao Jiaruixuan. Both athletes displayed incredible precision, finishing tied with 38 hits after 50 shots—a feat that matched the Asian Games record and necessitated a shoot-off to decide the champion.
The tension reached a breaking point during the shoot-off. While both shooters hit four out of five targets in the first attempt, the second round saw Xiao Jiaruixuan edge ahead with a 3-2 score, leaving Singh with the silver medal. Despite the narrow margin, Singh expressed immense satisfaction with her performance under such extreme scrutiny.
Turning interruptions into advantages
The final was further complicated by technical disruptions. Singh revealed that the match was interrupted twice due to errors made by the jury—an unprecedented experience for her. While such breaks can often ruin a shooter's rhythm, Singh found a silver lining in the chaos.
“For the audience, it might have looked like the interruptions broke my rhythm or took me out of my zone, but for me, I think those breaks actually helped,” she explained. “They gave me a moment to reset, process what was happening, and refocus. In the end, I think I came back stronger because of it.”
Consistency on the continental stage
This silver medal marks Singh's second consecutive podium finish in the women’s 25m pistol event at the Asian Games. She previously secured a runner-up position at the Hangzhou 2023 Games, where she played a pivotal role in helping India win the team gold alongside teammates Manu Bhaker and Rhythm Sangwan.
Reflecting on the medal she holds now, Singh said, “Looking back, though, I think it’s going to be a very memorable silver medal for me. It may have looked quite fun from the outside, but for me, it was extremely nerve-wracking. I did my best, and I’m really happy with the way I performed.”