China's Xiao edges Singh for Asian Games 25m pistol title

China's Xiao Jiaruixuan edged world record holder Esha Singh of India after two shoot-off series to win the women's 25m pistol individual title at the 2026 Asian Games on Monday.

China also won the team gold, with Shang Kaiyan, Xiao and Yao Qianxun combining for 1,743 points.

China held a one-point lead over India entering the final 30-shot series. Xiao scored 296 points as China finished with 1,743, eight ahead of silver medalist South Korea. Chinese Taipei took bronze with 1,734, while defending champion India finished fifth.

After 40 shots in the individual final, Xiao, Singh and DPR Korea's Kim Hyon-suk were the three remaining medal contenders. Xiao secured her place in the gold-medal contest, while Singh edged Kim after five shoot-off series to advance.

Xiao and Singh were tied at 38 hits, forcing another shoot-off. They remained level at 4-4 after the first series before Xiao won the second 3-2 to claim her first individual Asian Games gold medal.

Xiao described the final as a tough battle.

"Before my shoot-off with Singh, she had already gone through several shoot-off rounds with the third-place shooter," Xiao said.

"I kept telling myself to reset, stay focused and not get pulled into her rhythm. I just tried to calm myself down little by little and stay steady."

Singh said the repeated shoot-offs were a new experience for her but one she enjoyed.

"I kept thinking I was going to be eliminated at any second," Singh said.

"Things were not working out the way I wanted, but I kept my focus and still believed I could do it," she added. "It was an amazing experience, and I learned a lot about how to handle pressure."