At just 19 years of age, Suruchi Singh Phogat has already scripted a sensational chapter in Indian shooting history.
The young pistol prodigy clinched her third consecutive gold medal at the ISSF World Cup, winning the women’s 10m air pistol final in Munich with a score of 241.9—a display of nerve, poise, and sheer talent that left the world watching in awe.
Coming into Munich on the back of back-to-back World Cup victories in Buenos Aires and Lima, Suruchi showed no signs of slowing down. She not only made the final in commanding fashion, finishing second in the qualifiers with a score of 588, but in doing so, also equaled the National Record (NR)—a remarkable feat under the high-pressure environment of a global tournament.
The Final: A Test of Composure
The final itself was anything but straightforward. In a high-quality field with seasoned shooters, Suruchi faced fierce resistance. The match reached its boiling point in the last series of single-shot eliminations, where margins between success and elimination narrowed to fractions of a point. But Suruchi stood tall under pressure, maintaining her rhythm and focus when it mattered the most.
Her final score of 241.9 was a testament to consistency and competitive maturity beyond her years. The tension was palpable in the arena during the final three shots, but Suruchi’s unflinching composure secured her the gold medal—her third in a row at this level.
A Record-Setting Debut Season
The scale of Suruchi’s achievement becomes clearer when compared with one of Indian shooting’s most iconic names—Saurabh Chaudhary. In his breakout year, Chaudhary earned medals at his first three World Cups: Gold in New Delhi (587), Gold in Munich (586), and Bronze in Rio (584).
Suruchi’s trajectory matches up impressively:
- Buenos Aires: 583 (1st in qualification) – 🥇
- Lima: 582 (3rd in qualification) – 🥇
- Munich: 588 (2nd in qualification, NR-equaling) – 🥇
Three World Cups. Three finals. Three gold medals. All at 19.
Indian Contingent: Misses and Milestones
While Suruchi’s golden streak grabbed headlines, the women’s 10m air pistol qualifiers brought mixed fortunes for India. Two experienced campaigners—Manu Bhaker and Palak—fell short in qualification.
- Manu Bhaker, a Youth Olympic gold medallist and seasoned senior international, shot 574 and finished 25th.
- Palak, another promising name in Indian shooting, managed 570, finishing 36th.
Their absence in the final underscores the high level of competition and how Suruchi’s run has emerged as a bright spark in an otherwise subdued campaign in this event.
Who is Suruchi Singh Phogat?
Hailing from Haryana, a state known for producing Olympic athletes across sports, Suruchi Singh Phogat has steadily risen through the junior ranks with impressive showings in domestic and junior international events. Her transition to the senior stage has been nothing short of extraordinary.
She possesses a naturally calm demeanor on the shooting range, with a technically sound foundation built through years of rigorous training. Her performances are defined not by flamboyance, but by a methodical and resilient approach to competition—traits that have already placed her among the most promising young shooters in the world.
Eyes on Los Angeles and Beyond
With three consecutive World Cup golds in her debut year, Suruchi has firmly placed herself on the radar for major upcoming events—most notably, the Asian Championships, the World Championships, and the Los Angeles 2028
While Olympic qualification is still in progress across categories, performances like this will weigh heavily in the selection decisions for India’s final squad. Her consistency and ability to deliver under pressure could make her one of India’s strongest medal contenders in pistol shooting moving forward.
What This Means for Indian Shooting
India’s shooting ecosystem has seen phases of dominance in recent years, but consistency in the women’s 10m air pistol has been elusive at times. With veterans like Manu Bhaker and Yashaswini Deswal fluctuating in form, Suruchi’s emergence is both timely and symbolic of the next generation stepping up.
Her run also sends a clear signal to global rivals: India remains a powerhouse in 10m air pistol, and a 19-year-old is now leading that charge.
Golden hat-tricks don’t come easy in world sport, and certainly not in shooting—where variables, pressure, and unpredictability are constants. But Suruchi Singh Phogat has defied those odds. Three cities—Buenos Aires, Lima, and now Munich—have borne witness to her brilliance. And if this is just the beginning, Indian shooting fans have every reason to be excited about what lies ahead.
For now, Suruchi stands on the podium yet again, India’s flag rising above the rest, her focus already turning to the next challenge.
And one thing is certain—Suruchi Singh is here to stay.