Indian shooting touched a new high at the ISSF World Cup Final 2025 in Doha, Qatar, as Suruchi Inder Singh delivered a historic performance in the Women’s 10m Air Pistol, clinching the gold medal with a new Junior World Record score of 245.1.
In a final packed with elite international competitors and intense pressure, the young Indian shooter not only stood atop the podium but also rewrote the record books, underlining the rise of India’s next generation of shooting stars.
Suruchi’s score eclipsed the previous Junior World Record of 241.7, set by Manu Bhaker in 2019, marking a significant moment in Indian shooting history. What made the feat more special was the stage the World Cup Final, an event that features only the best-performing shooters from across the season. Rising to the occasion, Suruchi produced a performance that combined technical excellence with remarkable composure.
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India enjoyed a dream result in the women’s pistol final, finishing 1–2 on the podium. Sainyam, Suruchi’s compatriot, pushed her closely throughout the contest and eventually claimed the silver medal with a score of 243.3. The Indian one-two finish underlined the country’s growing depth in women’s air pistol and sent a strong signal ahead of future global competitions. China’s Yao Qianxun secured the bronze medal, completing a high-quality podium in a final where scoring levels remained consistently high from start to finish.
The final standings were:
- 🥇 Suruchi Inder Singh (India) – 245.1 (Junior World Record)
- 🥈 Sainyam (India) – 243.3
- 🥉 Yao Qianxun (China)
Calm Under Pressure
Suruchi’s performance stood out for its control under pressure. Finals in air pistol are often decided by fractions, but Suruchi displayed rare stability, maintaining high scores deep into the latter stages. Her shot rhythm, body control, and mental balance stood out as she kept extending her lead while records fell shot by shot.
Breaking a long-standing junior world record on such a stage is no small achievement, especially considering the presence of Olympic medallists and World Cup winners in the field. Suruchi’s 245.1 was not just a record-setting number but one that would have been competitive at any senior final, underlining her rapid transition from promising junior to genuine world-class contender.
Manu Bhaker Finishes Fifth
Former junior world record holder Manu Bhaker, now one of India’s most experienced pistol shooters, finished fifth with a score of 179.2. While the finish did not yield a medal, Bhaker’s presence in the final added further strength to India’s showing. The event highlighted an encouraging overlap between India’s established stars and emerging talents, a crucial factor for sustained success over the coming years.
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Earlier in the competition, India endured a moment of heartbreak in the Men’s 10m Air Rifle final, where Rudrankksh Patil narrowly missed out on a podium finish by just 0.1 points. The razor-thin margin underlined once again how unforgiving the sport can be at the elite level, while also showing how close Indian shooters are to consistently occupying medal positions across disciplines.
Suruchi Singh’s gold medal and junior world record go beyond personal achievement. They reflect the strength of India’s shooting ecosystem, particularly in identifying and nurturing young talent capable of performing on the biggest stages. A one-two finish at the World Cup Final is a rare feat and places India firmly among the global leaders in women’s pistol shooting.
The Amateur Shooting Confederation (ASC) congratulated all medal winners and participants for their outstanding performances, acknowledging the extremely high standard of competition across events.
For Suruchi, Doha 2025 will be remembered as the moment she announced herself decisively to the world. From breaking Manu Bhaker’s junior world record to standing atop a World Cup Final podium, her performance symbolised a generational shift one that promises an exciting future for Indian shooting.
As India continues to raise expectations on the shooting range, performances like Suruchi’s ensure that the bar keeps moving higher, not just nationally, but globally.
