ISSF World Cup: Sift clinches gold
Sift Kaur Samra delivered a sensational performance to clinch India’s first gold medal at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup 2025 in Buenos Aires, triumphing in the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions (3P) final on Friday evening. The 23-year-old Indian star shooter, who is also a student at the Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, overcame initial challenges to win her first ever individual ISSSF World Cup gold.
Samra who is a world record holder in the event, excelled with a remarkable comeback after initially trailing behind Germany’s Anita Mangold. She finished with a commanding score of 458.6 in the 45-shot final, outpacing Mangold, who settled for silver with 455.3. Kazakhstan’s Arina Altukhova took bronze with 445.9.
Women’s 50m rifle 3 positions is a highly competitive event and Samra outsmarted and outclassed her opponents to win the gold, further elevating her rank and stature in the game.
“Sift’s performance was nothing short of extraordinary,” said a spokesperson from the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI). “Her ability to recover and dominate in the final stages is a sign of her champion mindset. We’re proud of her and optimistic about what lies ahead for the team.”
The Paris Olympian shooter’s illustrious career includes a world record-breaking gold at the Asian Games 2023. Other Indian shooters at the ISSF World Cup 2025 in Buenos Aires include Paris Olympics medallist Manu Bhaker and Saurabh Chaudhary.
Sift is a talented athlete and student of BPES (Bachelor of Physical Education and Sports) semester 3 of Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar. India’s star shooter, Sift’s recent achievement was celebrated by her mentors, coaches and the VC of GNDU as well. “Sift’s achievement is a result of her continuous hard work and talent,” said Rajvinder Kaur, her shooting coach at varsity.
Dr Karamjeet Singh, the university’s vice-chancellor, praised Sift’s remarkable victory. “This gold medal is indicative of the bright future of sports in our country and is a matter of pride for Guru Nanak Dev University. Sift is a role model for our students, an inspiration, teaching them that with hard work and determination, anything is possible. Sift Kaur Samra’s victory is not just about a medal but a message that encourages dreaming big, working hard and turning those dreams into reality,” he added. The VC also described her win as ‘inspirational’.
Dr Kanwarmandeep Singh, Director of Sports at Guru Nanak Dev University, said that Sift’s achievement has further elevated the status of the university in sports. He mentioned that this gold medal reflects the university’s dedication to sports and is an excellent example of the commitment and talent of its athletes.
