India continued its impressive run at the ISSF World Cup Final 2025 in Doha with Simranpreet Kaur Brar delivering a career-defining performance to win gold in the women’s 25m pistol on Sunday.
Her triumph came shortly after Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar had set the tone for the Indian contingent with a silver medal in the men’s 50m rifle 3 positions, underlining another strong day for Indian shooting on the world stage.
In a high-pressure final featuring some of the most experienced names in international shooting, Simranpreet produced an extraordinary score of 41 hits out of 50, edging out China’s Yao Qianxun, who finished with 36, and Germany’s Doreen Vennekamp, who claimed bronze with 30. With this performance, Simranpreet not only secured the top step of the podium but also equalled the junior world record, a mark previously set by South Korea’s Yang Jiin, who had achieved the same score twice in 2024.
The gold medal added further weight to India’s medal tally, becoming the fifth medal for the country at the ongoing ISSF World Cup Final, and highlighted the growing depth in India’s pistol shooting programme.
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Simranpreet’s victory was made even more remarkable by the manner in which she built momentum during the final. The women’s 25m pistol final is known for its unforgiving format, where small lapses can dramatically alter standings. Despite a cautious start, Simranpreet quickly settled into rhythm and began to separate herself from the rest of the field with a long run of accurate shooting.
Her final score of 41 stood out for its consistency under pressure, especially as the gold medal contest narrowed to a head-to-head battle in the later stages. China’s Yao Qianxun attempted to mount a chase, but Simranpreet maintained her composure to close out the contest in convincing fashion.
Strong Indian Presence in the Final
India had more reason to celebrate beyond the gold medal. Esha Singh, another established name in Indian pistol shooting, reached the final and finished seventh, contributing to a strong overall showing by the Indian women in one of the most competitive pistol events on the circuit.
The qualification scores, reflected in the official results, further highlighted the tight margins at the top level. Simranpreet advanced to the final after placing fifth in qualification with a total of 584, built on a rapid-fire score of 295, one of the highest in the field. The qualification stage itself underlined the depth of competition, with just a few points separating several shooters aiming for the medal round.
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By equalling the junior world record in a World Cup Final setting, Simranpreet achieved a rare feat. The ISSF World Cup Final brings together only the season’s best performers, making record-equalling performances particularly significant. Matching Yang Jiin’s mark places Simranpreet in elite company and signals her readiness to consistently challenge the world’s best.
The timing of this result is also crucial. With major multi-sport events on the horizon, performances like these reinforce India’s credentials as a rising force in women’s pistol shooting, not just in team depth but also in medal-winning potential at the highest level.
Simranpreet Kaur Brar’s gold medal capped a day that showcased both experience and emerging excellence within the Indian squad. From Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar’s silver earlier in the day to Simranpreet’s record-equalling gold, India once again demonstrated its ability to perform under the brightest spotlight.
As the ISSF World Cup Final continues in Doha, this triumph stands out not only as a medal-winning effort but as a statement of intent one that confirms India’s growing presence among the global shooting elite.
