New Delhi: Suruchi Phogat has demonstrated remarkable prowess this domestic season. The 18-year-old pistol shooter has claimed all three individual titles—senior, junior, and youth—at the National Championships, and further solidified her success by winning gold at the National Games. This trajectory mirrors that of Manu Bhaker, who experienced a similar rise during the 2017 National Championships in Kerala, where she triumphed over several prominent figures in Indian shooting, marking her entry into the sport. Consequently, comparisons with the double Olympic medalist were unavoidable.

As Suruchi prepared for the ISSF World Cup in Buenos Aires, her performance was under close scrutiny. On Tuesday, she showcased her talent on the international stage by securing her first World Cup gold with an impressive display. Manu also competed but did not advance to the final, finishing in 13th place with 574 points, while Suruchi led the qualification round with a score of 583 points.

In the final, consisting of 24 shots, Suruchi achieved a score of 244.6 points, distancing herself from her competitors, Qian Wei of China (241.9 points) and Tokyo Olympics medalist Jiang Ranxin (221.0 points), who took home the silver and bronze medals, respectively. Suruchi initially ranked fourth after the first two series (10 shots) but gained momentum with bold shooting as eliminations commenced. Two shots scoring 10.7 and 10.8 propelled her into medal contention. She soon ascended to the lead with her 13th shot (10.1) and maintained her position thereafter.

“I entered the tournament with strong scores from domestic competitions, which helped me find my rhythm. I was enjoying my shooting and felt no pressure,” Suruchi shared with HT.

Despite experiencing a few low scores in her initial series, Suruchi quickly bounced back. “I didn’t feel pressured because my process and technique were sound. Winning my first World Cup gold feels wonderful. It’s a significant achievement, but I aspire to accomplish even more,” she states.

Her journey, which began in 2019 in the village of Sasroli in Jhajjar, Haryana, has flourished. She trained at the same academy where Manu Bhaker, a double medallist from the Paris Games, received her early coaching from Suresh Singh. Suruchi's father, Inder Singh, a retired Army officer, initially introduced her to wrestling; however, an injury shortly thereafter prevented her from returning to the sport. Shooting proved to be a fitting alternative, aligning well with her composed nature.

In 2023, Suruchi earned a spot on the junior India team and secured a bronze medal in the mixed team event at the Junior World Cup in Suhl, Germany. She also participated in the Asian Championships the previous year. “The competition at the senior level is extremely challenging. I trained diligently following the Asian Championships,” Suruchi remarks.

This season has seen everything come together for her. Over the past year, Suruchi has consistently achieved impressive scores. “Her hard work has yielded results. She is very disciplined and dedicated to her training. During her time in Buenos Aires, she stayed away from her phone,” her father, Inder Singh, notes.

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