India's top shooter, Sifat Kaur Samra, has once again brought laurels to the nation. In the ISSF World Cup held on Thursday, she won a bronze medal in the women's 50m rifle three positions event with a stellar performance.
ISSF World Cup 2025: Thursday was another proud day for Indian shooting as star shooter Sifat Kaur Samra won a bronze medal in the women's 50m rifle three positions event at the ISSF World Cup. The current world record holder, Sifat, secured third place in the final with a score of 453.1 points.
This is her second ISSF medal this year. Earlier, she made a resounding comeback by winning a gold medal at the World Cup in Buenos Aires, Argentina, at the beginning of the year.
Sifat's Strong Qualification Performance
In the qualification round of this competition, Sifat scored a total of 592 points across the three stages: kneeling, prone, and standing. This performance secured her second place and a spot in the finals. Although France's Agathe Cecile Camille Girard also scored 592 points, she had more 10x (X-ring hits) than Sifat, placing her in the top position. Switzerland's Audrey Gogniaux finished third.
Bronze in the Finals
The final was highly competitive. Norway's Jeanette Hegg Duestad won the gold medal with a score of 466.9 points. Switzerland's Emilie Aegy won the silver medal with 464.8 points. Sifat Kaur Samra, demonstrating patience and focus under pressure, secured the bronze medal with 453.1 points. This is not only a personal achievement but also re-establishes India's women's shooting on the international stage.
This season has been filled with new hopes and achievements for Sifat after a disappointing performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The gold in Buenos Aires and now the bronze in Germany demonstrate her continuous improvement, making her a b pillar for India's Olympic preparations.
Performance of Other Indians
- The performance of other Indian participants in this event was also noteworthy, even though they did not qualify for the finals.
- Aashi Chaukase secured 11th place with 589 points.
- Anjum Moudgil, one of the country's experienced shooters, finished 27th with 586 points.
- Shriyanka Sadangi finished 53rd with 582 points, while Nishchal finished 60th.
While these scores were not sufficient to reach the finals, these competitions will certainly bolster these shooters for upcoming tournaments. The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) and the Ministry of Sports have lauded Sifat Kaur Samra's achievement. The Sports Minister tweeted that Sifat Kaur Samra's success will inspire every young female shooter. This medal is not only a testament to her hard work but also another moment of pride for the country.
