Simranpreet Kaur Wins Gold at ISSF World Cup Final 2025

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Young Shooter Equals Junior World Record in Doha Triumph

DOHA, December 8 – Twenty-one-year-old Simranpreet Kaur Brar delivered the performance of her career at the Lusail Shooting Complex on Sunday, clinching gold in the women’s 25m pistol event at the ISSF World Cup Final 2025. The BA-III student from Dasmesh Girls College shocked a star-studded field by equalling the junior world record with a stunning score of 41 hits out of 50.

According to Vegas11 News, this victory marks India’s second gold medal at the prestigious season finale, further cementing the nation’s growing reputation in international shooting sports. The Indian contingency finished the competition with an impressive tally of six medals – two gold, three silver, and one bronze.

Pressure Moment Defines Champion

The final tested every ounce of Simranpreet’s mental strength. She started disastrously, missing three targets in her first series of five shots, immediately dropping to eighth and last position. Most shooters would have crumbled under such pressure at the biggest stage of the season.

“I was calm, but inside there was nervousness in the finals, and I executed it properly,” Simranpreet admitted in her post-match interview with ISSF officials. “I improved my technique and focused on how to execute the shot rather than on the screen.”

That focus proved decisive. The Faridkot native rallied with remarkable composure, firing three perfect series of five hits each. She systematically climbed the leaderboard, eventually overtaking China’s reigning 10m air pistol world champion Yao Qianxun, who finished with 36 hits for silver. Germany’s former world champion Doreen Vennekamp claimed bronze with 30 hits.

Record-Equalling Performance Against Olympic Champion

Simranpreet’s score of 41 matched the junior world record previously set by South Korea’s Yang Ji-in, the Paris 2024 Olympic champion. Remarkably, Yang competed in the same final but could only manage fourth place, making Simranpreet’s achievement even more impressive.

The Indian shooter had qualified fifth with a score of 585 points, featuring a rapid-fire score of 295 – among the highest in the qualification round. Compatriot Esha Singh also reached the final with an identical qualification score but finished seventh.

Manu Bhaker Campaign Ends Without Medal

While Simranpreet celebrated, two-time Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker endured a disappointing campaign. The star shooter finished ninth in the qualification round with 581 points, narrowly missing the eight-shooter final by four points. She leaves Doha empty-handed after participating in multiple events throughout the competition.

“Manu gave her best, but this time the margins were just too tight,” observed a member of the Indian coaching staff. The razor-thin difference between qualification and elimination underscored the intense competition at the World Cup Final, which features only the season’s top performers.

Silver Medals Add to India’s Successful Campaign

India’s success extended beyond pistol events. Double Olympian Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar secured silver in the men’s 50m rifle 3 positions, finishing merely 0.9 points behind Czech shooter Jiri Privratsky. The Czech star fired a world record score of 414.2 in the new 40-shot final format, with China’s Paris 2024 gold medallist Liu Yukun taking bronze at 388.9.

Aishwary had qualified second with an impressive 595 points, behind China’s Tian Jiaming who blazed to a world record 598 in qualification. The former junior world champion and reigning Asian champion demonstrated excellent form, staying in medal contention throughout all three shooting positions – kneeling, prone, and standing.

Anish Bhanwala, the 2018 Commonwealth Games champion, claimed his second World Cup Final medal with silver in the 25m rapid fire pistol. This represented an upgrade from the bronze he won at the same venue two years earlier.

Family Sacrifice Behind Success Story

Simranpreet’s golden moment represents years of dedication and family sacrifice. Her father, Shaminder Singh, a retired government teacher, made the difficult decision to leave his secure position to fully support his daughter’s shooting ambitions. Her mother, Harcharan Kaur, continues working as a government teacher.

“Simranpreet has been practising shooting since she was just 11 years old,” Shaminder Singh told reporters, his voice thick with emotion. “She wants to participate in the Olympics and win a medal for the country.”

That Olympic dream now appears more realistic than ever. The 21-year-old has been climbing the international ladder steadily throughout 2025, previously winning silver at the World Cup in Lima. At the Khelo India University Games 2025, she captured two gold medals while representing Panjab University, Chandigarh.

Suruchi Singh Shines with Junior World Record

Earlier in the weekend, India’s other gold medal came from Suruchi Singh in the women’s 10m air pistol. The young shooter produced a clinical display, posting 245.1 points to set a new ISSF junior world record. She edged out compatriot Sainyam, who claimed silver, in a thrilling one-two finish for India.

Suruchi’s mark bettered the previous record of 244 points, which had been held by none other than Manu Bhaker. The changing of the guard in Indian women’s pistol shooting appears to be accelerating, with emerging talents like Suruchi and Simranpreet stepping into the spotlight.

Samrat Rana, fresh from his world championship triumph in Cairo, added a bronze medal in the men’s 10m air pistol, rounding out India’s medal haul.

India Stands Second in Final Standings

With six medals, India finished second in the overall standings behind China, who dominated with three gold, two silver, and three bronze medals. The competition, held from December 6-8, featured the world’s elite shooters competing across rifle, pistol, and shotgun events.

Indian shooters drew blank in the shotgun events on the final day. Sift Kaur Samra, despite winning bronze at the Munich World Cup earlier in the year, failed to qualify for the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions final in Doha, shooting 584 to finish 10th.

The ISSF World Cup Final employs a strict qualification system. The defending champion automatically qualifies, while winners of the four World Cup stages throughout the season secure the remaining spots. If a shooter who has already qualified wins another stage, their spot passes to the next eligible competitor.

Looking Ahead to Olympic Cycle

This performance could not have come at a better time for Indian shooting. With major multi-sport events on the horizon, including the next Olympic cycle, Simranpreet’s gold medal demonstrates India’s depth and medal-winning potential at the highest level.

Vegas11 News reports that Simranpreet’s father expressed confidence about his daughter’s Olympic aspirations. The family’s investment and sacrifice appear to be paying dividends as she consistently delivers on the international stage.

For Simranpreet, matching the junior world record while defeating an Olympic champion in the process sends a powerful message. The quiet student from a small college in Punjab has announced herself as a genuine contender for future Olympic glory.

The Doha competition marked the final stop of the 2025 ISSF shooting season, which concluded on December 9. As shooters now turn their attention to training and preparation for 2026, India can reflect on a successful year highlighted by emerging talents like Simranpreet Kaur Brar stepping up when it mattered most.