Asian Games Gold Slipped Away in the Shoot-Off as Esha Singh Takes Silver

Esha Singh missed out on gold by the narrowest of margins at the Asian Games 2026, settling for silver in the women's 25m pistol final after a dramatic sequence of shoot-offs against China's Xiao Jiaruixuan.

The Indian shooter and Xiao finished the 50-shot final tied at 38 hits, equalling the Asian Games record, before the Chinese shooter prevailed in the second shoot-off to claim gold. North Korea's Kim Hyon Suk took bronze with 34.

Esha Singh fights through tense elimination stage

Esha entered the elimination stage after qualifying for the eight-shooter final in the last available spot, having finished with 580-22x. She was level on points with Chinese Taipei's Cheng Yen-Ching but advanced because of her superior inner-10 count.

The Indian started the final strongly, opening with five hits and briefly moving to the top of the standings alongside Xiao.

However, the elimination phase proved increasingly tense. Esha slipped down the order after a couple of missed shots and found herself in a three-way battle for the medals as the field was gradually reduced.

She eventually reached the final stages tied with North Korea's Kim Hyon Suk on 34 hits, one behind Xiao.

Three shoot-offs decide Esha's fate at Asian Games

Esha and Kim could not be separated in the first shoot-off, with both shooters recording three hits. A second shoot-off again produced an identical 2-2 score, forcing the pair into another five-shot decider.

The pressure intensified further when a technical issue briefly interrupted proceedings before the final shot.

Esha held her nerve in the third shoot-off, producing three hits compared to Kim's one to secure her place in the gold-medal contest and guarantee herself at least silver.

Xiao edges Esha after another shoot-off

The battle for gold went down to the wire.

Esha and Xiao were tied at 34 entering the final five-shot series, with both shooters needing a strong finish to take control. Esha registered four hits while Xiao managed three, bringing both shooters to 38.

The score meant they had not only finished level but had also equalled the Asian Games record.

A shoot-off was therefore required to determine the champion.

Esha and Xiao both hit four of their five targets in the first shoot-off, leaving nothing between them again. The second shoot-off finally produced a winner, with Xiao edging Esha 3-2 to take the gold.

Esha had to settle for silver after one of the most closely contested finals of the Games.

Second successive Asian Games silver for Esha

The medal continues Esha's strong record in the women's 25m pistol at the Asian Games.

She won silver in the same individual event at Hangzhou 2022, making this her second consecutive Asian Games silver medal in the discipline. She had also been part of India's gold-medal-winning 25m pistol team at Hangzhou alongside Manu Bhaker and Rhythm Sangwan.

The result adds another medal to India's shooting campaign in Aichi-Nagoya, although the women's 25m pistol team had earlier finished fifth. China won the team gold, with the Republic of Korea taking silver and Chinese Taipei bronze.

Manu Bhaker misses out on Asian Games medal

There was disappointment for Manu Bhaker, who failed to make the individual 25m pistol final after finishing 11th in qualification with 579-18x.

Rahi Sarnobat finished 30th with 568-16x.

Bhaker, who competed in four events at the Games, therefore finishes her Asian Games campaign without an individual or team medal. She had finished fifth in the 10m air pistol final after qualifying third, while India placed fourth in the corresponding team event.

For Esha, however, the silver represents another Asian Games podium finish - secured after surviving multiple shoot-offs before coming within one decisive series of gold.