Indian Shooters Star at ISSF World Cup Munich as Esha Singh Claims Gold with Record Score
Munich's ISSF World Cup in May 2026 became a showcase for Indian shooting excellence. A 35-member Indian contingent—bolstered by the return of Olympic medallists Manu Bhaker and Swapnil Kusale—competed across rifle and pistol events, and 21-year-old Hyderabad shooter Esha Singh delivered the standout performance of the meet by winning gold in the women's 25m pistol with a record score.
India Sends 35-Member Squad to ISSF World Cup Munich, Including Manu Bhaker and Swapnil Kusale
A 35-member Indian shooting contingent headed to Munich, Germany, for the ISSF World Cup held from May 24 to 31, 2026, marking the second World Cup of the year for rifle and pistol shooters. The squad was notably strengthened ahead of the Munich leg with the inclusion of Olympic medallists Manu Bhaker and Swapnil Kusale, both of whom had sat out the season-opening World Cup in Granada, Spain, earlier in the year. India's performance in Granada had been modest, yielding just one medal—a gold won by Mukesh Nelavalli and Palak Gulia in the 10m air pistol mixed team event. The Munich contingent also featured former world champion Rudrankksh Patil and Elavenil Valarivan among its senior shooters. Swapnil Kusale, who won an Olympic bronze in the 50m rifle 3 positions, was set to compete in his specialist event, while Manu Bhaker was entered in the women's 10m air pistol and 25m pistol disciplines. Thirteen members of the squad competed under Ranking Points Only (RPO) status. Live streaming of the ISSF World Cup Munich finals was made available for Indian viewers on Olympics.com, broadening access to one of the sport's most high-profile international events. [2]
Esha Singh Wins Women's 25m Pistol Gold in Munich with Record Score of 43
Hyderabad shooter Esha Singh, 21, underlined her growing stature on the world stage by winning gold in the women's 25m pistol event at the ISSF World Cup in Munich, posting a record score of 43 in a high-pressure final. The achievement made a powerful statement about India's next generation of competitive shooters, with Esha already being considered one of the country's leading prospects for the LA 2028 Olympics. Speaking to reporters after her triumph, Esha said the magnitude of the achievement had yet to fully sink 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.' Esha's ability to remain composed under pressure has become a defining characteristic of her shooting, a trait she attributes in part to the fierce competition within India's domestic circuit. '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.' Having become a champion at the age of 13 and having competed at earlier international championships, the Munich gold added a landmark senior win to a career already marked by early promise. [9]
Sources: [2] olympics.com · [9] olympics.com