It was heartbreak for India’s top pistol shooters on Monday as Manu Bhaker and Esha Singh, both medal favourites, faltered in the crucial moments of the women’s 10m air pistol final at the ISSF World Championships.
Manu, a double Olympic medallist from Paris, seemed poised for another podium finish before disaster struck on her 14th shot. Leading the field after a superb 10.7, she followed it up with a shocking 8.8, plummeting from first place to seventh. She eventually finished with 139.5 points, missing out on a medal.
Esha, fresh off her World Cup gold in Ningbo, China, endured a similar fate. The 20-year-old was in contention throughout but lost her rhythm late in the round — an 8.4 on her 14th shot proved costly after a strong 10.7 just moments
earlier. She finished sixth with a final score of 139.9.
China’s Yao Qianxun, also 20, claimed her maiden world title with a stellar 243.0, while Ho Ching Shing of Hong Kong-China took silver (241.2) and Wei Qian of China won bronze (221.4).
India did, however, salvage some pride in the team event, securing a silver medal with Esha (583), Manu (580), and world No.1 Suruchi Inder Singh (577) combining for a total of 1740.
Earlier, both Esha and Manu had qualified strongly; Esha placing fourth with a fine 583, including a perfect 100 in her third series, while Manu was sixth with 580. Suruchi, who has won four World Cup golds this season, finished 14th among 99 shooters.
With one gold, three silvers, and two bronzes, India currently sits fifth on the medals table, while China leads with six golds, three silvers, and two bronzes.
(with PTI inputs)
