President Murmu hails Esha Singh's Asian Games silver
President Droupadi Murmu congratulated shooter Esha Singh for her incredible silver medal win in the women's 25m pistol event at the 2026 Asian Games.
President Droupadi Murmu has extended her warmest congratulations to Indian sharpshooter Esha Singh following her spectacular silver medal achievement in the women's 25m pistol event at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The President lauded the athlete's technical mastery and steady nerves during the high-pressure competition.
A Presidential Salute to Precision
Taking to the social media platform X, the President of India highlighted the qualities that led to this podium finish. She noted that Singh's performance was a testament to her skill, precision, and consistency on the international stage.
"I extend my heartiest congratulations to Esha Singh on winning the Silver Medal in the Women’s 25m Pistol event at the Asian Games 2026. Your exceptional performance has reflected great skill, precision and consistency. This medal is a proud addition to your sporting journey. My best wishes for many more laurels," the President's official handle stated.
The Dramatic Shoot-Off Battle
The path to the silver medal was anything but simple, involving a grueling series of shoot-offs that pushed the Indian shooter to her limits. Esha Singh's journey in the final was a rollercoaster of momentum shifts and intense psychological warfare.
The competition unfolded through several critical stages:
- Early Dominance: Esha started with immense confidence, hitting all five targets in her opening series to establish an early lead.
- Mid-Match Fluctuations: After a strong start, she faced a dip in the third series, allowing China's Xiao Jiaruixian to take the lead. However, Esha fought back to level the score at 16 points after 20 shots.
- The Survival Phase: Following a tense middle period where she briefly slipped to third place, Esha produced a vital five-hit series to keep her medal hopes alive.
A Test of Nerves in the Shoot-Offs
After 40 shots, the leaderboard was incredibly tight. Esha, Xiao, and North Korea's Kim Hyon Suk were all locked in a battle for the podium. The situation necessitated multiple shoot-offs to determine the final standings.
Esha first had to battle Kim Hyon Suk to decide the silver and bronze positions. After two identical series of three hits each, Esha secured her place in the gold-medal shootout by recording three hits in the next round, compared to Kim's two. This ensured at least a silver medal for the Indian star.
The final showdown against China's Xiao Jiaruixian was decided by the narrowest of margins. After the regular final and the first shoot-off left both athletes tied at 38 points, a final five-shot contest was required. Ultimately, Xiao hit three targets to Esha's two, leaving the Indian shooter with a hard-earned silver medal.
India's Growing Medal Tally
Esha Singh's achievement adds significant momentum to India's campaign in Japan. With this silver, India has now secured its 39th medal at the 2026 Asian Games. The current medal haul for the nation stands at:
- Gold: 4
- Silver: 17
- Bronze: 18