In a remarkable outing for India at the ISSF Shooting World Cup in Buenos Aires, 19-year-old Suruchi Phogat clinched her maiden gold medal in the women’s 10m Air Pistol event, while 22-year-old Vijayveer Sidhu added to the glory with a gold in the men’s 25m Rapid Fire Pistol. It was a double delight for Indian shooting fans as both young shooters outperformed experienced global competitors, showcasing resilience, composure, and technical brilliance.
Suruchi Phogat stuns seasoned rivals in first World Cup final
Making her debut at this level, Haryana’s Suruchi Phogat held her nerve in a high-pressure final that featured Tokyo Olympics medallist Jiang Ranxin and reigning 25m world champion Doreen Vennekamp. Despite starting the match in fourth position with a score of 49.9, Suruchi Phogat rose steadily through the rankings. A sharp second series and consistent shooting in the elimination rounds, including four shots of 10.7 or better, kept her firmly among the top contenders. Eventually, she led China’s Qian Wei by 1.2 points going into the final duel, sealing victory with shots of 10.8 and 10.0, compared to Qian’s 9.6 and 9.7.
Her journey to the top has been far from conventional. Initially enrolled in wrestling by her father Inder Singh Phogat, a former Army havildar, Suruchi Phogat had to quit due to a collarbone fracture. The family adapted quickly, creating makeshift targets and eventually investing in professional equipment, including a pistol costing over Rs 1.60 lakh. Her dedication led her to Guru Dronacharya Shooting Academy, where coach Suresh Singh, known for training Olympian Manu Bhaker, identified her natural technique and worked to refine her skill.
Vijayveer Sidhu clinches second World Cup medal
Adding to the celebrations, Punjab’s Vijayveer Sidhu secured his first gold and second overall World Cup medal in the men’s 25m Rapid Fire event with a tight 29-28 win over Italy’s Riccardo Mazzetti. Vijayveer Sidhu, who had previously won silver in Delhi in 2021 and bronze at the World Championships in Cairo in 2022, showcased his steady progress on the international stage.
