Esha Singh Sets World Record Gold at Munich ISSF World Cup as Maratha Entrepreneurs Bring Vada Pav to Bavaria
Indian pistol shooter Esha Singh set a world record score of 43 to claim gold in the women's 25m pistol event at the ISSF World Cup in Munich, headlining a 35-strong Indian shooting team that included Olympic medallists Manu Bhaker and Swapnil Kusale. Away from the ranges, Mumbai Mirror profiled two Maharashtrian engineers who traded lucrative careers to bring vada pav, kala masala and authentic Maratha cuisine to Munich.
Esha Singh Wins ISSF Munich Gold with World Record Score of 43
Hyderabad-based Indian shooter Esha Singh won gold in the women's 25m pistol event at the ISSF World Cup in Munich with a record score of 43, one of the biggest victories of her career and a performance that firmly established her as one of India's leading shooting prospects heading toward the LA 2028 Olympics. Olympics.com spoke to Esha after her triumph, during which she reflected on the magnitude of an achievement that had yet to fully sink in. She described her approach as focusing on one shot at a time and staying calm throughout the high-pressure final. Esha became the youngest national shooting champion in India at the age of 13 and previously competed at the Paris 2024 Olympics, making her Munich breakthrough a continuation of a remarkable trajectory. She highlighted the depth of competition within India's shooting system, noting that domestic competition is so strong that it pushes every athlete to improve each day, a pressure she embraces rather than fears. Her composure under tournament conditions has become a hallmark of her shooting, enabling her to perform at the highest level on an international stage. The Munich World Cup gold strengthened Esha's credentials as a genuine contender for Olympic selection and medals at LA 2028, placing her among the most watched young shooters in world competition. [9]
India Sends 35-Member Shooting Squad to ISSF World Cup Munich, Including Olympic Medallists
A 35-member Indian shooting contingent led by Olympic medallists Manu Bhaker and Swapnil Kusale participated in the ISSF World Cup 2026 in Munich, Germany, held from May 24 to 31. The Munich leg was the second ISSF World Cup of the year for rifle and pistol shooters and carried significant ranking and qualification implications. Olympics.com reported the full squad composition and schedule ahead of the competition. Manu Bhaker and Swapnil Kusale did not compete at the first World Cup of the season in Granada, Spain, but were both included in the Munich squad, bolstering India's strength at the event. Swapnil Kusale, who won Olympic bronze in the 50m rifle 3 positions event at Paris 2024, competed in his pet event at Munich. Manu Bhaker contested the women's 10m air pistol and 25m pistol events. India had won only one medal at the season-opener in Granada, a gold by Mukesh Nelavalli and Palak Gulia in the 10m air pistol mixed team event. The 35-member Mumbai squad also included 13 shooters competing under Ranking Points Only status, as well as former world champion Rudrankksh Patil and Elavenil Valarivan, two of India's most experienced international rifle shooters. Live streaming of the ISSF World Cup Munich finals was available to watch in India on Olympics.com, bringing the competition to a large Indian audience following their national team's fortunes at the prestigious event. [2]
🍛 Maratha Engineers Trade Six-Figure Salaries to Bring Vada Pav and Kala Masala to Munich
Mumbai Mirror profiled two engineers from Maharashtra who gave up lucrative professional careers and postgraduate ambitions to open an authentic Maratha restaurant in Munich, Germany, bringing the real tastes of vada pav, kala masala, and traditional Maharashtra cuisine to Bavaria. The feature, titled Asal Maratha in Munich, documented the journey of the two entrepreneurs who chose cultural enterprise over conventional career paths, driven by a desire to share the distinctive flavours of Maharashtrian food with the Indian diaspora and local German community in Munich. Vada pav, the iconic street food of Mumbai and Maharashtra, and kala masala, a dark spice blend unique to Maharashtrian cooking, are among the most distinctive elements of the culinary tradition they brought with them. The story reflects a broader trend of diaspora entrepreneurs creating authentic homeland food experiences in European cities, serving both nostalgic community members craving a taste of home and curious international food lovers. Munich has a notable Indian professional community, many of them working in the city's technology, engineering and automotive sectors, and authentic regional Indian restaurants catering specifically to communities beyond generic North Indian fare represent a growing niche in the city's food landscape. The Mumbai Mirror profile highlighted the cultural courage and entrepreneurial spirit required to transplant a hyper-regional food tradition from the streets of Maharashtra to a Bavarian city, and the personal connection the founders feel to the food and the community they serve. [7]
Sources: [9] olympics.com · [2] olympics.com · [7] Mumbai Mirror