Suruchi and Saurabh Shine with Gold at ISSF World Cup

Indian shooters Suruchi Inder Singh and Saurabh Chaudhary made the nation proud by winning the 10m air pistol mixed team gold at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun in Lima, Peru, on April 16, 2025. The duo defeated China’s Yao Qianxun and Hu Kai with a strong 17-9 score at the Las Palmas shooting range, adding another chapter to India’s growing success in shooting. This victory marked Suruchi’s third ISSF World Cup gold and Saurabh’s ninth, including his fifth in the mixed team event, showing their incredible skill and teamwork.

The journey to gold began in the qualification round, where Suruchi and Saurabh scored a combined 580 points to secure their spot in the gold medal match. Suruchi, an 18-year-old from Jhajjar, outscored her experienced partner Saurabh by a couple of points, proving her rising talent. However, the Chinese pair of Yao Qianxun and Hu Kai topped the qualification with 585 points, setting up a tough final. Meanwhile, India’s second pair, Manu Bhaker and Ravinder Singh, scored 579 points, finishing fourth and qualifying for the bronze medal match.

SAURABH & SURUCHI WINS THE GOLD 🥇

The India duo defeated China 17-9 in the Mixed Team Gold Match at ISSF World Cup 🇵🇪

2ND GOLD MEDAL FOR INDIA HERE 🎖️ pic.twitter.com/gRZyIS3t9V

— The Khel India (@TheKhelIndia) April 16, 2025

In the gold medal match, the Chinese pair started strongly, taking an early lead of 2-6 and then 4-8. Suruchi and Saurabh struggled to find their rhythm in the opening series, falling behind. However, a timely timeout called by their coach, Samaresh Jung, changed the game. The break helped the Indian duo refocus, and they began their comeback. Suruchi shot brilliantly, hitting the 10-ring consistently, while Saurabh, a Tokyo Olympian, supported her with high scores, including a stunning 10.9 on his first shot.

By the eighth series, the scores were tied at 9-9. Then, in the 10th series, Suruchi and Saurabh took the lead at 11-9, capitalizing on China’s mistakes. From there, they stayed in control, needing just three more series to seal the victory. The Chinese pair faltered under pressure, missing the 10-ring, while Suruchi and Saurabh finished in style with scores of 10.6 and 10.5 in the final series. Their calm and precise shooting ensured a convincing 17-9 win.

This win was extra special for Suruchi, who had already won gold in the women’s 10m air pistol event the previous day, beating double Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker. For Saurabh, this was his 9th World Cup gold and a proud moment after earning a bronze in the men’s 10m air pistol event earlier in Lima.

India’s Overall Performance at The ISSF

While Suruchi and Saurabh celebrated gold, India’s other pair, Manu Bhaker and Ravinder Singh, finished fourth in the bronze medal match, losing 6-16 to China’s Zhang Yifan and Ma Qianke. Despite the loss, India’s shooters shone brightly in Lima. On Tuesday, Suruchi won gold and Manu Bhaker took silver in the women’s 10m air pistol, while Saurabh secured bronze in the men’s event. These results helped India top the medal standings with three medals, ahead of China.

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