In a year that has redefined the trajectory of Indian shooting, 19-year-old Suruchi Inder Singh has emerged as one of the country’s most compelling new talents.
After claiming the world No. 1 ranking in women’s 10m air pistol and achieving an unprecedented hat-trick of ISSF World Cup gold medals, Suruchi’s rise from the dusty lanes of Sasroli village in Haryana’s Jhajjar district to global shooting dominance stands as a powerful narrative of determination, family sacrifice and extraordinary skill.
Born on April 28, 2006, Suruchi’s journey to the top was neither predictable nor straightforward. Her father, Havildar Inder Singh, a retired Army man, initially hoped she would pursue wrestling, inspired by his cousin Deaflympics gold medallist Virender “Goonga Pehalwan” Singh. Suruchi did take up wrestling at 12, but a severe collarbone injury sidelined her for nearly a year. That setback painful at the time became the turning point that redirected her toward shooting.
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In 2019, when Suruchi was 13, her father took her to the Guru Dronacharya Shooting Academy in Bhiwani, about 50–60 km away. Though initially wary of the loud gunfire, she quickly found the sport “fair” a discipline where results were dictated solely by skill and focus. What began as curiosity soon became a pursuit of excellence.
The academy, founded by retired Army personnel Suresh Singh, became the crucible where her talent was sharpened through relentless training. Suruchi and her father travelled daily by train and bus from Jharli railway station to Bhiwani, often returning home late into the night. The family took loans to buy her pistol, while her mother, Sudesh Devi, managed household and farm duties alone.
Even during the COVID-19 lockdown, Suruchi’s training continued at a makeshift village range Kargil Shooting Academy run by war veteran Anil Jakhar. Her discipline, consistency and hunger to improve became the bedrock of her rise.
Building the Foundation: National Dominance
Suruchi’s rise through India’s shooting ranks was rapid and emphatic. By 2022–23 she had become a regular medalist at the National Championships. At the 6th Khelo India Youth Games in Chennai in January 2023, she teamed up with world champion Samrat Rana to win gold in the 10m air pistol mixed team event—a significant progression from her silver at the previous edition.
Her father, still adjusting to her switch from wrestling, remarked: “She is born to play sports although I wanted her to become a wrestler, she ended up at the shooting range.”
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Her major breakthrough, however, came at the 67th National Shooting Championships in New Delhi in December 2024, where she delivered a career-defining performance seven gold medals across youth, junior and senior categories. She topped qualification with 585 and dominated the final with 243.6 points, finishing well ahead of Olympian Rhythm Sangwan, and outperforming Asian Games champion Palak Gulia and junior world champion Sainyam.
“This is the first time I have become a national champion,” she said. “I just want to make it to the national team this year.” She followed this with two more gold medals at the 2025 National Games in Uttarakhand.
Her coach Suresh Singh summed it up: “She’s really in a rhythm. This girl is not going to stop now.”
2025 Breakout on the World Stage
Suruchi’s senior international debut in 2025 became one of the most stunning breakthroughs Indian shooting has ever witnessed.
Buenos Aires World Cup (April 2025) : In her first senior World Cup appearance, she won gold in the women’s 10m air pistol with 244.6, beating China’s Qian Wei and Olympic great Jiang Ranxin. Partnering Saurabh Chaudhary, she also claimed bronze in the mixed team event.
Lima World Cup (April 2025) : She struck gold again in the individual event, edging Manu Bhaker in the final. In the mixed team event, she and Saurabh Chaudhary stormed back from 8–4 down to win the gold medal 17–9.
Munich World Cup (June 2025) : Known as the “Wimbledon of Shooting,” Munich saw Suruchi complete a historic hat-trick of individual gold medals. She shot a blistering 588/600 in qualification with near-flawless speed and consistency, captivating spectators who gathered behind her firing lane usually reserved for dominant Chinese shooters.
In the final, she sealed gold with 241.9, becoming the first Indian shooter to win three consecutive individual World Cup golds in a single season.
Ascending to World No. 1
On September 3, 2025, the ISSF released its updated rankings: Suruchi Inder Singh World No. 1, 10m Air Pistol.
At 19, with 4,162 points, she surged ahead of China’s Yao Qianxun and Qian Wei. Manu Bhaker ranked sixth, reflecting India’s depth but also Suruchi’s new status as the country’s standout performer.
Continental and World Championship Campaigns
At the Asian Championships in Kazakhstan, she won bronze in the mixed team event and placed 12th individually. At the ISSF World Championships in Cairo, she finished 14th individually but helped India secure silver in the 10m air pistol team event.
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Suruchi’s rise is anchored in technical refinement and mental discipline. Her coach’s philosophy “system, rhythm, mental control”replaced her early impatience with calm precision. Shooting experts like Shimon Sharif affirm that her regular scores of 585–588 place her firmly in Olympic medal territory.
The Singh family’s sacrifices remain central to her success. Her father travelled daily for her training and took loans for equipment. Her mother kept the household running. Her younger brother Nishant now trains alongside her.
Looking Ahead: LA28 and Beyond
With her scoring consistency, big-stage temperament and world No. 1 ranking, Suruchi is widely seen as one of India’s strongest prospects for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. “This is just the beginning,” she says. “If I can do in finals what I do in practice, Olympic gold will not be far.”
Inspiring a New Generation
Suruchi’s journey from a village range to world No. 1 symbolizes the evolution of Indian shooting. As private academies and grassroots programs expand, her story inspires young athletes, especially girls from rural India, to dream boldly. Her 2025 season will be remembered as one of the greatest debut campaigns in Indian shooting history.
At 19, Suruchi Inder Singh has not just risen she has arrived, with a trajectory that promises to reshape India’s shooting future for years to come.
