Esha Singh of Telangana created history by becoming the youngest shooter to be crowned National Champion.
The 13-year-old Esha achieved this feat by prevailing over big names such as Manu Bhaker and Heena Sidhu in the Women’s 10m air Pistol at the 62nd National Shooting Championship in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
It was a clean sweep for Esha as she also won the Junior and Youth gold. Esha shot 241.0 in the women final to leave behind Youth Olympic games champion Manu of Haryana who finished with 238.9. Shweta Singh of ONGC won the bronze with 217.2 while former World No. 1 Heena Sidhu finished 6th with 154.9.
“I didnÔÇÖt think so much about whom I was shooting with,” said Esha after her sensational performance.
Earlier, Esha shot 573 to qualify for the final on the 7th place while Manu topped with 578.
Esha took up shooting at the age of nine after watching her father’s friend pursue the sport. I tried my hand with various sports but liked the way it felt when I shot,ÔÇØ she said.
The Results:
Women’s 10m Air Pistol: 1. Esha Singh (Telangana) 241.0 (573); 2. Manu Bhaker (Haryana) 238.9 (578); 3. Shweta Singh (ONGC) 217.2 (574).
Junior Women’s 10m Air Pistol: 1. Esha Singh (Telangana) 239.3 (573); 2. Manu Bhaker (Haryana) 238.2 (578), 3. Anusha Ravindra Patil (Maharashtra) 215.8 (567).
Youth Women’s 10m Air Pistol: 1. Esha Singh (Telangana) 240.9 (573); 2. Anjali Chaudhary (Haryana) 239.7 (566); 3. Manu Bhaker (Haryana) 216.3 (578).