Asian Games 2026: Esha Singh Wins Silver In Women's 25m Pistol After Dramatic Shoot-Off Against China's Xiao Jiaruixian

Indian shooter Esha Singh secured the silver medal in women's 25m pistol at the 2026 Asian Games, held in Aichi-Nagoya, after a dramatic shoot-off against China's Xiao Jiaruixian. The competition saw Singh and Xiao tied at 38 points following the initial final, leading to a series of shoot-offs to determine the medals. North Korea's Kim Hyun Suk claimed the bronze medal with 34 points.

Singh started the final strong, hitting all five targets in her opening series and maintaining her lead with four hits in the second series. She then dropped to second after a three-hit series, allowing Xiao to take the lead with 13 points. Esha responded with four hits, tying with Xiao at 16 points after 20 shots. The duo remained tied after 25 shots, with Kim also at the top.

However, Esha fell to third after the next series before delivering a crucial five-hit series, securing herself a medal. With Xiao and Kim tied at 32 points and Esha at 31 after 40 shots, the Indian shooter needed another strong finish. Esha and Kim went into a shoot-off to decide the silver and bronze medals. Esha prevailed in the next round, hitting three targets while Kim hit two, securing at least a silver medal.

Esha then faced Xiao in the gold-medal shoot-off, where both finished with 38 points following the regular final and the first shoot-off, necessitating another five-shot contest. Xiao emerged victorious by a narrow margin, hitting three targets compared to Esha's two in the decisive shoot-off, leaving the Indian with the silver medal.

This victory marks India's 39th medal at the ongoing Asian Games, with the nation winning four golds, 17 silvers, and 18 bronze medals so far.