At just 18 years old, Suruchi Phogat is rewriting the script for Indian shooting.
With nerves of steel, unshakable focus, and an effortless rhythm on the shooting line, the young pistol shooter has emerged as the brightest new face on the global circuit.
Over the last two ISSF World Cup events — Buenos Aires and Lima — Suruchi has claimed three gold medals and a bronze, sending an emphatic message to the world: a new star has arrived.
A Dream Run
Suruchi’s performance in these two events has been nothing short of phenomenal. At the ISSF World Cup Buenos Aires 2025, she stormed to her first senior international title, winning gold in the Women’s 10m Air Pistol event.
Shooting with maturity beyond her years, she outgunned seasoned names and set the tone for what was to follow.
But she didn’t stop there. Partnering in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team event, she helped India secure a bronze medal, further showcasing her ability to adapt to team dynamics and deliver under pressure.
And then came Lima 2025, where Suruchi raised the bar even higher. First, she repeated her individual gold-winning performance, clinching top honours once again in the 10m Air Pistol Women’s event, proving her Buenos Aires title was no fluke.
She followed it up with an emotional and dramatic gold in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team event, partnering with the legendary Saurabh Chaudhary.
Rising to the Occasion
What’s most impressive about Suruchi’s run is not just the medal tally — though three golds and a bronze in two senior World Cups is a staggering record — it’s the manner in which she has achieved it. In Lima, during the mixed team final, India was down 4-8 against the Chinese team of Hu Kai and Yao Qianxun.
It was then that Suruchi showed the poise and resilience that defines champions. She and Saurabh mounted a spectacular comeback to win the final 17-9, with Suruchi delivering several clutch shots that turned the match around.
Her individual victories, too, have come in high-pressure finals where she’s held her nerve against more experienced opponents, consistently producing inner 10s when it mattered the most.
A Star in the Making
Coaches and fans alike are raving about Suruchi’s calm demeanour, crisp technique, and fearless attitude. What sets her apart is her consistency — even in the qualifying rounds, she’s been shooting scores in the 580s, which puts her in elite company on the world stage.
It’s also worth noting that Suruchi’s journey has been built on the foundation of India’s strong domestic circuit.
Over the past two years, she’s been a standout performer at junior and senior national events, catching the eye of national selectors with her composed performances and rapid improvement.
Her partnership with Saurabh Chaudhary has also been a delight for Indian fans. The chemistry between the two is evident, with both shooters feeding off each other’s energy and rhythm. For Saurabh, who has been making a comeback of his own, teaming up with Suruchi has added a new spark to his campaign.
For Suruchi, sharing the range with one of India’s greatest-ever pistol shooters has clearly been a boost to her confidence and experience.
Eyes on the Future
With the World Championships coming up later this year and Olympic qualification on everyone’s mind, Suruchi’s form couldn’t have peaked at a better time. She is now not just a promising prospect but a legitimate contender on the world stage.
Her rapid rise also adds depth to India’s already strong women’s pistol lineup, which includes names like Manu Bhaker and Rhythm Sangwan. The internal competition for spots in the big events will be fierce, but Suruchi’s performances over the last month have certainly made her one of the frontrunners.
India’s New Poster Girl?
In a country constantly looking for new sporting icons, Suruchi Phogat is checking all the boxes. Young, composed, medal-winning, and grounded — she represents a new generation of Indian athletes who are fearless on the world stage.
Her story is still in its early chapters, but with three World Cup golds already to her name, Suruchi is fast becoming one of the most talked-about athletes in Indian shooting.
If she continues on this path, there’s no doubt she’ll be among the leading medal hopes at major championships in the coming years — and maybe, just maybe, at Los Angeles 2028.
For now, Indian fans can simply enjoy the rise of a superstar. The name is Suruchi Phogat — remember it.
