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Indian pistol shooter Divanshi has once again proven her dominance in the women's 25m standard pistol event, securing her second individual gold medal at the ISSF Junior World Championship in Lima, Peru. This remarkable achievement was accompanied by a clean sweep of the event, with teammates Parisha Gupta and Manvi Jain claiming silver and bronze, respectively.Divanshi's victory was a testament to her exceptional precision and focus, as she outshot her rivals with a score of 564 out of 600. Gupta, with a score of 559, and Jain, with 557, also showcased their impressive skills, marking India's first-ever clean sweep in this competition.In the corresponding junior men's event, Suraj Sharma emerged victorious with a score of 571, narrowly defeating Poland's Ivan Rakistski, who shot 568 for silver. Mukesh Nelavalli, who has already accumulated four gold medals in the championship, settled for bronze after a countback, despite shooting the same score as Rakistski.Other notable performances from the Indian contingent included Harsimar Singh Rattha, Raajwardan Singh Patil, and Pradhyumn Singh, who finished seventh, eighth, and ninth, respectively, in the junior men's event.In the junior women's 50m rifle prone event, Melvina Joel Gladson was the highest-ranked Indian finisher, placing 14th with a score of 617.5. Prachi Gaikwad, Khushi, Aadhya Agrawal, and Anoushka Thokur also competed, finishing in the top 35.In the team competition, Melvina, Prachi, and Anoushka's combined score of 1846.1 secured a sixth-place finish for India in the prone event.India's young shooters have been in impressive form throughout the championship, amassing a total of 21 medals, including 13 gold, two silver, and six bronze. This tally places India firmly at the top of the standings, with Norway and China trailing behind.

Esha Singh, a 19-year-old pistol shooter from Hyderabad, is on the cusp of making her Olympic debut at the upcoming Paris Games. While excitement fills her heart, she remains uncertain about the extent of her nerves.Her journey to the Olympics began with a remarkable performance at the 2018 National Championships, where she emerged as the senior champion at the tender age of 13. Since then, she has faced both highs and lows, but it is the highs that have presented the greatest challenges."After you win something major, it comes down to your prestige," Esha explains. "It's difficult to manage the baggage that comes with it."Despite these challenges, Esha has learned to embrace her failures and use them as opportunities for growth. She believes that her experiences at the 2023 Asian Games, where she won four medals, have given her a template for success at the Olympics."I surprised myself with that match," she says of her performance in the 25m pistol final at the Asian Games. "That final really proved to me that if I can perform here, anything else would be way easier."Esha's approach to training is based on the belief that shooting is a game of basics. She has been training for the Olympics for the past decade, focusing on consistency and maintaining a calm and composed demeanor."I'm more of a calm, composed person now," she says. "I'm learning to embrace my failures and understand why they ever happened."As she prepares for the biggest stage of her career, Esha is confident in her abilities and the lessons she has learned along the way. She is determined to replicate the mindset that led to her success at the Asian Games and to make the most of her Olympic experience.

Rhythm Sangwan, a rising star in Indian pistol shooting, has emerged as a formidable force on the international stage. At just 20 years old, she has already amassed an impressive collection of medals, including seven World Championships medals, eight World Cup medals, and three Asian Championships medals. Her crowning achievement came at the Hangzhou Asian Games, where she won team gold in the women's 25m pistol event.Despite her early success, Rhythm remains grounded and focused on continuous improvement. "I don't believe in resting on my laurels," she says. "I have had my share of highs and lows, but opportunities like the Olympics make it all worthwhile."Rhythm will represent India in the 10m air pistol event at the Paris Olympics alongside the experienced Manu Bhaker. While expectations are high, Rhythm emphasizes the importance of staying present and giving her best. "I don't think of results," she says. "My only target is to give my 100 percent."Rhythm's preparation for the Olympics includes a rigorous training regimen and a focus on mental strength. She draws inspiration from Manu Bhaker, who bounced back from a disappointing performance in Tokyo. "The way she has bounced back says a lot about her mental strength," Rhythm says. "Shooting is an individual sport, but there are occasional discussions with her that help me improve."Rhythm's pre-match routine involves listening to upbeat music to help her enter the zone. "I like Bollywood music," she says. "It helps me get into my zone."Rhythm is confident of making an impact at the Olympics. She has experience shooting at the competition range in Chateauroux, France, which she believes will be an advantage. "My only goal will be to shoot the best I have ever done," she says.

Manu Bhaker, a rising star in women's pistol shooting, is making waves in the sport. Born in Jhajjar, Haryana, Bhaker's passion for sports began early, with her participating in tennis, skating, boxing, and thang ta. However, it was at the age of 14 that she discovered her true calling in shooting.Within a week of trying the sport, Bhaker asked her father to purchase her a sports shooting pistol. Her determination and talent quickly became evident, and in 2017, she made headlines by defeating Olympian Heena Sidhu at the national shooting championships. Bhaker's record-breaking score of 242.3 in the 10m Air Pistol final set the stage for her meteoric rise.Bhaker's international debut came in 2018 at the Asian Games, where she set a game's record score of 593 in the qualification round of the 25m Air pistol event. Despite her impressive performance, she narrowly missed out on a medal, finishing 6th in the final.Undeterred, Bhaker went on to secure the top position in the women's 10m air pistol event at the 2018 Youth Olympics. At the age of 16, she became the first Indian shooter and the first female athlete from India to win a gold medal at the Youth Olympic Games.Bhaker's success continued in 2021, when she qualified for the Tokyo Olympics. She finished 12th in the women's 10m air pistol event, but her performance showcased her potential and determination.Now, Bhaker is setting her sights on the Paris 2024 Olympics, where she will compete in the women's 25m pistol event. Coached by pistol shooter Jaspal Rana, Bhaker is confident in her abilities and is working hard to achieve her Olympic dream.