India’s sole Olympic gold-winning shooter, Abhinav Bindra, was known for his serious and focused demeanor, relying on unique methods such as yak milk from China and brainwave mapping to achieve his championship status. In contrast, Sift Kaur Samra, India’s most promising shooting medal hopeful, brings a refreshing approach to the sport. The extroverted and fun-loving 22-year-old from Punjab balances her life with quotes from Diljit Dosanjh, humor about her sleep habits, and a relaxed approach to training and competition.
Sift Kaur Samra is preparing for her maiden Olympics with remarkable poise, competing in the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions event. She approaches the Games with a mindset that treats it as just another competition, maintaining a normal life and avoiding unnecessary pressure. In Paris, she plans to adhere to her usual tactics, focusing on shooting well as she does in training.
Sift Kaur Samra’s journey is extraordinary. She cracked the NEET, won gold in the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions at the 2023 Asian Games by defeating China’s world champion with a world-record total, and topped the four-stage Olympic selection trials. Her story stands out even among India’s wave of talented young shooters, showcasing her educational prowess, international medals, and the mental toughness required in the demanding discipline of 50m rifle shooting.
Shooting has been a challenging area for India in recent Olympics, but Paris will see India’s largest contingent with 21 shooters competing for 27 medals. At least a few are expected to succeed. Reflecting on the dry spell in the last 12 years, Sift Kaur Samra remains hopeful that she and her teammates will bring an Olympic shooting medal to India once again.
Q: Take us through your journey and struggles as a shooter.
“Shooting was never just a co-curricular activity from Day 1. My dad said, ‘If you want to practice shooting, do it seriously and don’t waste money.’ Shooting requires focus and patience. I don’t do anything special, but it has been an interesting and fun journey. When you reach the top, you tend to forget your struggles.”
Q: How did you choose the three-position rifle, the toughest discipline in shooting?
“I did not choose 3P shooting; it chose me. I was unaware of the distinctions between 50m and 10m shooting. I initially started with 10m shooting, but 50m suited me better and it felt like it had chosen me. Kneeling is the toughest position, and I am continually working to improve.”
Sift Kaur Samra’s relaxed yet focused approach to shooting, combined with her remarkable achievements, makes her a standout athlete as she heads to the Paris Olympics, embodying hope and promise for Indian shooting.
