ISSF World Cup Final 2025: India’s Pistol Stars Lift the Nation to Second Place After China with a Six-Medal Finish

India’s pistol shooters lit up the ISSF World Cup Final 2025 in Doha, powering the nation to second place on the medal tally with a total of six medals—two gold, three silver, and one bronze. While China topped the standings with nine medals, India’s performance stood out for its precision, consistency, and a new generation of shooters delivering record-breaking results.Pistol Power: Young Stars Rewrite RecordsIndia’s biggest breakthroughs came from the pistol ranges, where four of the country’s six medals were won.Simranpreet Kaur’s Golden Perfection21-year-old Simranpreet Kaur stunned the field in the women’s 25m pistol, hitting 41/50 to clinch gold and matching the junior world record set by Korea’s Olympic champion Yang Ji-in. Her ice-cold composure in the final crowned her as one of India’s brightest rising stars.Suruchi Singh: Three World Cups, Three GoldsTeen sensation Suruchi Singh delivered another masterclass in the 10m air pistol, firing 245.1 points to set a new ISSF junior world record, surpassing Manu Bhaker’s 2019 mark of 244.7.Her Doha triumph caps a dream season: gold at the first three World Cups and now the biggest prize of all.Right behind her was Sainyam, the 2023 junior world champion, who clinched silver, reinforcing India’s depth in women’s pistol shooting.Men Who Hit the MarkSamrat Rana’s Bronze MagicFresh off his world championship win in Cairo, Samrat Rana added another feather to his cap with a bronze in the men’s 10m air pistol, continuing his impressive run on the global stage.Aishwary Tomar and Anish Bhanwala Shine BrightOutside the pistol events, two of India’s proven performers held their ground:Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar clinched silver in the men’s 50m rifle 3 positions, showcasing his trademark precision.Anish Bhanwala secured silver in the men’s 25m rapid fire pistol—an upgrade from his bronze at the same venue two years ago. This marks his second World Cup Final medal, signaling his steady rise in international shooting.Shotgun Struggles and the Lone ContenderIndia drew a blank in shotgun events, with veteran Zoravar Singh Sandhu being the only contender. Fresh from winning the People’s Choice Award at the ISSF Athlete of the Year Awards 2025, the 48-year-old made it to the final in men’s trap, finishing seventh.A Strong Finish to the SeasonThe Doha World Cup Final marked the closing chapter of the 2025 ISSF season—a year where India’s young guns repeatedly proved their mettle.With six medals—and a standout season for women pistol shooters—India has not only outperformed last year’s tally but has also cemented its status as a rising global powerhouse in competitive shooting.