New Delhi

Indian pistol shooter Esha Singh believes the disappointment of the Paris Olympics played a crucial role in shaping the mindset that has propelled her to one of the most successful periods of her career.

The 21-year-old enjoyed a remarkable outing at the recent ISSF World Cup in Munich, where she clinched gold in the women's 25m pistol event with a world-record score of 43 and later added a silver medal in the women's 10m air pistol competition.

Her impressive performances helped India top the medal standings and reinforced her status as one of the country's premier shooters.

Reflecting on her success, Esha said her ability to stay composed under pressure was key to her achievements in Munich.

"There was definitely pressure because in shooting, the outcome often remains uncertain until the final shot. My focus was on fighting till the very end and giving my best effort. I never allowed myself to become complacent or assume that a medal was already secured," she said.

The Hyderabad shooter demonstrated that resilience throughout the competition. After her record-breaking gold-winning performance in the 25m pistol event, she returned two days later to claim silver in the 10m air pistol final with a score of 241.2. She finished just behind fellow Indian shooter Suruchi Inder Singh, who won gold with 242.1. Both shooters had qualified for the final after registering identical scores of 578 in qualification.

Asked about her ability to perform in high-pressure situations, Esha attributed it largely to experience gained over a decade in the sport.

"There is no special secret. I've been competing for around ten years, and over time you learn to deal with pressure. The feeling never completely disappears. The key is to accept it and understand that the process remains unchanged regardless of the event or the stakes involved," she explained.

According to Esha, the lessons learned from the Paris Olympics have had a lasting impact on her mental approach.

"The period after the Olympics was extremely challenging because when things don't go as planned, you start questioning every detail. It wasn't an easy phase, but in hindsight, I am grateful for that experience because it made me mentally stronger," she said.

She described the Olympics as the highest stage she has reached in her sporting journey and believes that competing there altered her perspective permanently.

"Once you've competed at that level, other competitions seem more manageable. It gives you a different kind of toughness and helps you recover more strongly from setbacks," she noted.

The experience also changed the way she views failure and performance.

"You have to accept that you're human and not a machine. It's impossible to deliver your absolute best every single time. Sometimes things simply don't work out despite your efforts, and that's something athletes must learn to accept," she said.

Esha believes this mindset shift has contributed significantly to her current success.

"I feel this outlook is one of the reasons why I'm enjoying one of the best seasons of my career. I now see setbacks as building blocks. Like pieces of a Lego set, every challenge adds something valuable to your growth," she added.

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Indian women's pistol shooting has witnessed a surge in talent in recent years, with shooters such as Manu Bhaker, Suruchi Inder Singh, Rhythm Sangwan and Esha Singh consistently delivering strong performances on the international stage.