At just 19 years old, Indian shooter Suruchi Inder Singh has achieved a career-defining milestone by rising to World No.1 in the ISSF women’s 10m Air Pistol rankings. Suruchi, who began shooting at age 13, amassed 4162 points through a stellar 2025 season, overtaking top Chinese shooters such as Yao Qianxun and Qian Wei.
Her impressive track record this year includes three consecutive individual World Cup gold medals at Munich, Lima, and Buenos Aires, alongside a mixed team gold at Lima. Indian shooting legend Manu Bhaker ranks sixth in the same category. Officials including the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) have praised Suruchi’s consistency, focus, and potential to dominate the sport in future world championships.
Suruchi’s Meteoric Rise to the Summit
Suruchi’s journey began in the small village of Sasroli in Jhajjar district, Haryana. Raised in a family with a strong sporting lineage including her father Havildar Inder Singh, who originally envisioned a wrestling career for her, Suruchi gravitated toward shooting and started formal training at the Guru Dronacharya Shooting Academy in Bhiwani when she was 13. Despite pandemic restrictions, she maintained her practice at a makeshift home range, showcasing early resilience and dedication.
Her breakthrough year, 2025, notably saw her clinch World Cup golds in three different contests while securing a mixed team gold. Her qualification scores and finals performances have been consistently high, such as her 588 in Munich and strong finals score of 241.9.
The Significance for Indian Shooting
Suruchi’s rise is part of a broader surge in Indian shooting on the global stage. Along with Manu Bhaker’s sixth place ranking, and other Indian shooters performing well in various disciplines, this reflects India’s growing prominence in the sport internationally.
The NRAI has praised Suruchi’s disciplined approach and mental toughness, attributing her success to these qualities. Her achievements inspire a new generation of shooters, especially women, highlighting expanding opportunities and improved infrastructure in regions traditionally less represented in elite sports.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Suruchi Singh’s ascension to world No.1 embodies the power of determination, support, and breaking societal barriers, especially for young women from rural backgrounds. Her story shows that with empathy, opportunity, and sustained effort, global sporting success is within reach for many Indians.
This achievement is not just a personal victory but a symbol of inclusive progress in sports and society at large. It reminds us to continue investing in grassroots sports and nurturing the dreams of every aspiring athlete. values and journalistic style.
