Indian Olympian Sift Kaur Samra won the gold medal in the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions individual event at the 16th Asian Shooting Championships held in Shymkent, Kazakhstan. She scored an exceptional 459.2 points in the final to clinch the top podium spot. Samra displayed remarkable composure during the final moments of the contest, especially in the standing position round where she was trailing China’s Yang Yujie by 0.3 points heading into the last two shots.
Steady with a 9.6 followed by a perfect 10.0, Samra edged past Yang, who stumbled with an 8.7 on her penultimate shot despite a strong final shot of 10.2. Japan’s Misaki Nobata earned the bronze medal with 448.2 points. Indian teammate Ashi Chouksey also made the final, finishing seventh with a score of 402.8 after qualifying fifth.
Sift Kaur Samra’s Inspiring Rise as India’s Shooting Star
Sift Kaur Samra’s journey to the top is marked by remarkable milestones beyond this event. At just 23 years old, she holds the world record in the women’s 50m rifle three positions final, set during her gold-winning performance at the 2022 Asian Games. Demonstrating immense dedication, she shifted her focus from medical studies to professional shooting, underscoring her commitment to the sport.
Her consistent podium finishes at prestigious events such as the ISSF World Cups and Asian Championships establish her as a leading figure in Indian shooting, inspiring many young athletes across the country.
A Team Effort Securing Gold
Beyond her individual success, Sift Kaur Samra played a crucial role in securing the gold medal in the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions team event for India. Along with experienced shooters Anjum Moudgil and Ashi Chouksey, Samra helped the Indian team compile a total score of 1753 points, narrowly surpassing Japan’s 1750 and South Korea’s 1745.
Individually, Samra shot an impressive 589, Ashi scored 586, and Anjum added 578 to the tally. This combined effort reflects the strength and depth of India’s shooting squad, as well as the emerging talent and consistency among its members. While Anjum Moudgil was less fortunate in the individual event, finishing 22nd, her contribution in the team event was vital to India’s success.
The Asian Shooting Championships is a key continental competition, drawing top shooters from across Asia and serving as crucial preparation for major global events like the Olympics and World Championships.
Samra’s win marks her fourth Asian Championships gold and underscores her rising stature in the sport internationally. Alongside her, other Indian shooters like Neeru Dhanda and Manu Bhaker have also enriched India’s medal tally with gold and bronze medals respectively, making this championship a fertile ground for India’s growing dominance in shooting sports.
The senior Indian shooting contingent comprises 35 athletes competing across 15 events, supported by 129 junior shooters, illustrating the depth of the pipeline that nurtures the country’s future talents.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
At The Logical Indian, Sift Kaur Samra’s achievement is a powerful narrative about dedication, resilience, and grace under pressure. Her success is not just personal but symbolic of the values of patience, focus, and unity in sport.
India’s accomplishments at the Asian Shooting Championships encourage broader reflection on how sports foster harmonious relations by promoting mutual respect, peace, and empathy among competitors and nations alike. As the sports community celebrates such victories, it is essential to advocate for holistic athlete support, nurturing their physical talents while also emphasising mental well-being and community backing.
THE WINNING MOMENTS FOR SIFT KAUR 🤩
— The Khel India (@TheKhelIndia) August 26, 2025
She clinched GOLD Medal in Women's 50m Rifle 3 Postions at Asian Shooting C'ship 2025!
👉 7th(Kneeling) to 4th(Prone) to Win(Standing)
A STORY OF AN STUNNING COMEBACK! 🔥pic.twitter.com/CJrqzmbZKV https://t.co/1M95Xmvr3w
