Indian shooting sensation Suruchi Phogat delivered a spectacular finale to an already remarkable year by securing a gold medal at the prestigious ISSF World Cup Finals in Doha on Saturday. The talented shooter from Haryana capped off her season with a record-breaking performance in the women's 10m air pistol event.
A Record-Shattering Performance
Suruchi Phogat didn't just win; she dominated the competition with a score of 245.1 points, which is now officially a new junior world record. This phenomenal score eclipsed the previous record of 241.7 points, which was held by fellow Indian shooting star Manu Bhaker since 2019. The silver medal in the event was also claimed by India, with shooter Sainyam putting up a strong fight to finish second with a score of 243.3 points.
Capping a Stellar Season
This victory in Doha was the crowning achievement in what has been an extraordinarily successful year for the young athlete. Prior to the World Cup Finals, Suruchi had already amassed an impressive haul of four gold medals and one bronze medal across various senior World Cup events throughout the season. Her consistent excellence at the highest level of the sport has firmly established her as one of India's most promising shooting talents.
Complete Indian Contingent Performance
While Suruchi Phogat and Sainyam stood on the podium, the event also featured another prominent Indian name. Manu Bhaker, the previous junior world record holder, participated but could not replicate her past dominance in this particular final. She finished in fifth place with a score of 179.2 points. The event highlighted the incredible depth of talent in Indian women's pistol shooting, with multiple athletes competing at the world's elite level.
The ISSF World Cup Finals in Doha brought the international shooting calendar to a close, and for Suruchi Phogat, it was the perfect ending. Her gold medal and new junior world record not only add to her growing legacy but also send a powerful message of India's rising prowess in precision sports on the global stage.
