New Delhi: Olympian and current mixed team pistol world champion Isha Singh performed brilliantly at the International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF) World Cup Rifle/Pistol, Ningbo (China) and won the gold medal in the women's 10 meter air pistol event, giving India its first medal of the competition. In the final held at the Ningbo Olympic Sports Center, Isha defeated host China's favorite and in-form Yao Chiansun by just 0.1 points. At the same time, the current Olympic champion of this event, Korea's O Yejin had to settle for the bronze medal.
After winning gold in the World Cup air pistol event for the first time, Isha said, "I am very happy because air pistol is the same event with which I started shooting. Winning a World Cup gold in this is a big achievement for me. It feels good to see some of my goals being accomplished."
On the challenges ahead, she said, "The next big goal this year is the World Championship. We are working hard for that and I am sure that the performance of the Indian team in Cairo will be excellent."
Talking about the mindset during the final, Isha said, "Yes, I knew that India has not won any medal so far and there are world class shooters in the competition. But I have played finals against these players many times and now I am confident that the pistol is in my hand and the real fight is with myself. So I try to enjoy the match as much as possible."
Isha and Rhythm Sangwan scored 578 points to secure the last two positions in the women's air pistol final. Yao Chiansun topped the list with a score of 584. At the same time, Asian Games champion Palak Gulia, who was playing only for ranking points, scored a brilliant 586 points, which was better than everyone. India's third participant Surabhi Rao scored 568 points and finished 25th. In the eight-shooter final, Esha and Rhythm started well. After the first five shots, Rhythm was on top and Esha was second, while Paris Olympic medallist Veronica Major of Hungary was chasing.
After the second series, Esha came on top with a lead of 0.2 points. Rhythm slipped to fifth and remained there till the end. The pressure when the single shots started also affected Olympic champion O Yejin when she shot a low 8 on the 11th shot. After the 12th shot, 19-year-old Zeng of China was the first to be eliminated. Esha shot a perfect 10.8 on the 13th shot. Rhythm also climbed to fourth position for some time by hitting 10.8 on the 15th shot, but by the 18th shot, her campaign was over.
In the last six shots, Esha was ahead by 1.1 points, but after the 19th shot, Yao reduced the gap to 0.6. Esha withstood the pressure and shot two consecutive 10.7s to maintain a close lead of 0.1 points till the end. She won the gold with a score of 242.6.
In the second event of the day, men's 25m rapid fire pistol, Bhavesh Shekhawat finished 22nd with 575 points. His compatriot Pradeep Singh Shekhawat also finished 23rd with the same score, while Mandeep Singh finished 39th with 562 points.
With Esha's gold, India has now moved to fifth place in the medal tally and joined the five countries to win gold in Ningbo. Hosts China are at the top with two gold, four silver and one bronze. India have given opportunities to its fourth to sixth ranked shooters in this World Cup, which shows the depth of the team for the future.
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