Indian shooting sensation Sift Kaur Samra delivered a performance of a lifetime at the ISSF World Cup in Buenos Aires, Argentina, clinching the gold medal in the Women’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions event.
A Comeback for the Ages by Sift Kaur Samra at the ISSF World Cup Argentina
A Tale of Grit and Resilience
•After 30 shots, she was last.
•After 40 shots, she had climbed to first.
•After 45 shots, she was the World Cup champion.
Her incredible victory was not just about securing India’s first gold of the tournament but also about the sheer resilience and determination she displayed.
At one point, Sift was languishing in last place after the kneeling and prone positions, ranking 8th after the first two rounds. But in an extraordinary turnaround, she dominated the standing position to surge past her competitors, finishing with a final score of 458.6 to take home the gold medal.
Her triumph was not just a victory but a statement—a declaration of her immense talent, mental strength, and ability to perform under pressure.
The Road to Gold: A Breakdown of Her Performance
The 50m Rifle 3 Positions (3P) event is one of the most challenging disciplines in shooting, requiring athletes to compete in three different positions: kneeling, prone, and standing. Shooters need exceptional stability, endurance, and mental focus to excel.
1️⃣ Kneeling Position – A Tough Start
Sift had a shaky start in the kneeling position, managing a score of 147.2, which placed her last (8th) among all finalists. Anita Mangold (GER) led the standings at this stage with 154.4, followed closely by Zifei Wang (CHN) at 153.9.
2️⃣ Prone Position – No Significant Improvement
In the prone series, Sift tried to recover but was still ranked last with 304.1 after this round. Nele Stark (GER) led the standings with 308.4, while Olivia Hofmann (AUT) and Anita Mangold (GER) were right behind.
3️⃣ Standing Position – The Phenomenal Comeback
It was in the standing position that Sift Kaur Samra showed why she is one of India’s best shooters. She fired an almost flawless series of shots, overtaking all her competitors in just 10 shots, rising from 8th to 1st place!
- From trailing by over 4 points, she closed the gap and took the lead in spectacular fashion.
- Her precise, clutch shooting under pressure propelled her to 458.6 points, securing a remarkable gold medal.
Final Standings – Women’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions
🥇 Sift Kaur Samra (IND) – 458.6
🥈 Anita Mangold (GER) – 455.3
🥉 Arina Altukhova (KAZ) – 445.9
This victory was nothing short of legendary, proving why Sift is one of India’s most promising rifle shooters on the global stage.
A Winning Streak for India in Shooting
Sift Kaur Samra has been one of India’s top rifle shooters in recent years. She was the 2023 Asian Games gold medalist in the same event, where she also set a world record (469.6 points).
Her dominance in the discipline has now translated into success at the ISSF World Cup 2025, adding another prestigious title to her name.
India’s Overall Performance at the ISSF World Cup Buenos Aires 2025 so far
- Sift Kaur Samra – Gold in Women’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions
- Chain Singh – Bronze in Men’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions
- Aishwarya Pratap Singh Tomar & Neeraj Kumar – Reached Finals
With this gold and bronze, India has started the ISSF World Cup on a strong note, setting the stage for more medals in the coming events.
What Makes Sift Kaur Samra Special?
🔹 Unbelievable Mental Strength – Many shooters would have given up after a poor start, but Sift showed remarkable composure.
🔹 World-Class Standing Position – Her standing position shooting is one of the best in the world, as seen in both the Asian Games and now at the ISSF World Cup.
🔹 Consistency Under Pressure – Rising from last place to first in a final is incredibly rare in shooting, making this one of the greatest comebacks in ISSF history.
🔹 A Future Olympic Medal Prospect – With her skill and temperament, Sift is now one of India’s strongest bets for a medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Sift Kaur Samra’s gold medal in Buenos Aires is not just a victory for Indian shooting but an inspiration for all athletes. Her ability to fight back from 8th place to 1st in one of the toughest shooting events is a testament to her resilience, hard work, and supreme talent.
This triumph sets the tone for India’s campaign at the ISSF World Cup.
🔥 A legendary comeback, a historic win, and a champion’s mentality—Sift Kaur Samra is the name to remember! 🇮🇳💥
