Nerves of Steel: Esha Singh Survives 4 Shootouts to Win Pistol Silver at Asian Games

Esha Singh won silver in the women’s 25m pistol at the Asian Games on Monday after surviving four heats before losing the fifth and final tie to China’s Xiao Jiaruixuan.

The 21-year-old from Hyderabad, who is the reigning world No. 1, qualified for the final from eighth place with a score of 580 and 22 Xs. She then fought her way into medal contention, surviving two shootouts and winning the third against North Korea’s Kim Hyon Suk before securing a place in the gold medal contest.

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Esha and Kim were tied on 34 hits for the silver medal. The first two shootouts ended 3-3 before Esha prevailed 3-2 in the third to advance to the gold medal.

Esha then matched Xiao for gold after both shooters finished the rules final with 38 hits, equaling the games record set by Liu Rui at Hangzhou 2023.

The first shootout between Esha and Xiao ended 4-4, forcing another tie. Xiao eventually beat Esha 3-2 in the final shootout to win the gold, with Esha taking the silver.

“Yes, I was under pressure and this is the longest match of my career so far. My hands were hurting at the end of it,” Esha said after the final.

ESHA GIVES INDIA SHOOTING SILVER

The silver was Esha’s second individual medal in the women’s 25m pistol at the Asian Games after the silver from Hangzhou 2023.

North Korea’s Kim took the bronze after finishing behind Esha in the shoot-off.

Esha’s medal also secured India an individual podium finish after two-time Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker failed to qualify for the final. Manu finished 11th in qualifying with 579 points and 18 X, while Rahi Sarnobat was 30th with 568 points and 16 X.

Earlier on Monday, India’s trio of Manu, Esha and Rahi finished fifth in the women’s 25m team event with a combined score of 1727-56x. China won gold with 1743-68x, South Korea won silver with 1735-65x and Chinese Taipei won bronze with 1734-48x.

Shooting has now contributed to India’s 12 medals at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, including one gold, seven silver and four bronze.

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