India's Shooters Deliver in Munich: Esha Singh Sets World Record as 35-Member Squad Targets ISSF Glory
India's shooting contingent put in a powerful showing at the ISSF World Cup 2026 in Munich, Germany, headlined by Esha Singh's gold medal and world record in the women's 25m pistol event. The meet, held May 24–31, brought together a 35-member Indian squad reinforced by the return of Paris 2024 medallists Manu Bhaker and Swapnil Kusale, who had skipped the season-opening World Cup in Granada.
India Fields 35-Member Squad at Munich ISSF World Cup
India arrived at the ISSF World Cup 2026 in Munich with a formidable 35-member shooting contingent, the strongest team the country has sent to the event this season. The squad is headlined by Paris 2024 Olympic medallists Manu Bhaker and Swapnil Kusale, both of whom sat out the first World Cup of the year in Granada, Spain, where India managed only a single medal — a gold for Mukesh Nelavalli and Palak Gulia in the 10m air pistol mixed team event. Their return for Munich gave India significantly greater firepower heading into what is the season's second major rifle and pistol competition. Among the other notable names in the delegation are former world champion Rudrankksh Patil and Elavenil Valarivan, whose presence underlines the depth India has developed in Olympic-format shooting disciplines. Thirteen of the 35 athletes are competing under Ranking Points Only status, giving younger and emerging shooters valuable international exposure at the highest level. Manu Bhaker, who claimed historic bronze at the Paris Games, is scheduled to compete in the women's 10m air pistol and 25m pistol events, while Swapnil Kusale — an Olympic bronze medallist in the 50m rifle 3 positions — will contest his signature event. The Munich leg is regarded as a key opportunity for India's shooters to build momentum ahead of the LA 2028 Olympics cycle. Live streaming of the ISSF World Cup Munich finals is available in India on Olympics.com. [2]
Esha Singh Wins Gold and Sets World Record in Women's 25m Pistol
Among the standout performances of the Munich World Cup, none resonated more deeply than that of 21-year-old Hyderabad shooter Esha Singh, who claimed gold in the women's 25m pistol event with a record score of 43 — one of the biggest results of her career to date. Speaking to Olympics.com after her triumph, Singh admitted the scale of the achievement had not fully sunk in. 'I still can't believe it happened,' she said. 'I was only thinking about focusing on one shot at a time and staying calm throughout the final.' That composure under pressure has become a signature trait of Esha's shooting. Her victory in Munich strengthened her credentials as one of India's leading contenders for the LA 2028 Olympics and added a World Cup gold to a résumé that already includes becoming the youngest national champion at age 13 and competing at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Esha also offered a window into what makes Indian shooting uniquely demanding — the intense domestic competition that forces every athlete to continuously raise their level. 'Competition in India is so strong,' she said. 'But I think that is a very good thing because it pushes all of us to improve every single day.' For the Desi community in Munich and across Germany, Esha's gold and record-breaking final represent exactly the kind of landmark performance they follow with pride from abroad — a reminder of India's rising global ambitions in sport. [8]
Sources: [2] olympics.com · [8] olympics.com