It’s not every day that a debutant steps onto the senior international stage and knocks out a trio of world-class Chinese shooters—but that’s exactly what 18-year-old Suruchi Singh just did at the ISSF World Cup 2025 in Buenos Aires.
In the unforgiving, razor-sharp world of international shooting, where a single decimal can decide destiny, Suruchi Inder Singh, just 18 years old, has announced herself with a thunderclap.
In her senior ISSF World Cup debut, Suruchi didn’t just win gold—she dominated the world’s best, defeating three Chinese shooters, including double Olympic medallist Jiang Ranxin, in the women’s 10m air pistol final at the Buenos Aires World Cup.
Her final score? 244.6—a mere 0.1 off the Junior World Record (WRJ). But make no mistake: this was already a historic performance.
Competing in the Women’s 10m Air Pistol, Suruchi delivered a stunning all-round performance to claim gold in emphatic fashion, making India proud with her grit, precision, and poise under pressure.
A Debut to Remember
Making her senior ISSF World Cup debut, Suruchi came in with solid domestic form—but few could’ve predicted this level of dominance.
The Haryana teenager topped the qualification round with a stellar 583, finishing well ahead of seasoned names like double Olympic medallist Jiang Ranxin, fellow Chinese shooter Qian Wei, and even India’s own star Manu Bhaker, who missed the final cut by placing 13th with 574.
But Suruchi wasn’t done. Golden Moment in the Final
In the high-stakes eight-shooter final, the pressure was immense. With a fierce Chinese trio in the mix—including Qian Wei, Jiang Ranxin, and a third finalist from China—the odds were heavily stacked. But Suruchi, calm and composed, shot a mind-blowing 244.6, just 0.1 points shy of the Junior World Record (WRJ).
Her performance not only won her the gold medal but also confirmed her as a serious prospect on the global stage.
The final standings:
- 🥇 Suruchi Singh (IND) – 244.6
- 🥈 Qian Wei (CHN) – 241.9
- 🥉 Jiang Ranxin (CHN) – 221.0
This was India’s third gold medal at the ongoing ISSF World Cup, but arguably the most impressive of the lot—given the magnitude of opposition and the composure shown by a rookie on debut.
The Journey: From Wrestling Mats to Shooting Range
Suruchi’s journey into shooting is nothing short of inspiring. A former wrestler, she switched disciplines and found her groove with a pistol instead of on the mat. Hailing from Sasroli, a village neighboring Goria—the hometown of Olympic bronze medallist Manu Bhaker—Suruchi draws from the same regional grit and determination.
She trains at the same Bhiwani shooting academy where Manu began her journey. And such is her dedication that she commutes three hours daily by train just to get her training in.
India’s Shooting Future Looks Bright
While Manu Bhaker’s early exit may have surprised many, Suruchi’s golden burst shows the strength of India’s bench in the women’s pistol circuit. Along with her, shooters like Sainyam (17th in qualification with 572) are part of a young, promising generation rising through the ranks.
And with this World Cup performance, Suruchi has surely thrown her hat into the Olympic ring. Her control under pressure, technical finesse, and fearless mindset mark her as one to watch for Paris 2024 and beyond.
In a sport where experience usually trumps youth, Suruchi Singh has just flipped the script. Taking down three Chinese shooters—including a double Olympic medallist—on her senior debut is no small feat. It’s a statement.
A new star is rising in Indian shooting—and her name is Suruchi Singh.
