Sainyam: Silver Medalist at ISSF World Cup in Hangzhou opened India’s medal account at the ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun on Friday. The 22-year-old shooter from Chandigarh won silver in the women’s 10m air pistol event with a steady performance in the final, scoring 243.4 to finish second in a strong international field. She had qualified for the eight-woman final with a score of 579.
Sainyam arrived at the competition in strong domestic form. She had topped the women’s 10m air pistol Trial 2 final at the National Selection Trials in New Delhi, scoring 243.1. Earlier this year, she also won a silver medal at the ISSF World Cup Final in Doha. Her progress at the international level has been steady, with gold medals at the ISSF Junior World Cup in Suhl and the ISSF Junior World Championships in Changwon in 2023, along with podium finishes at the Khelo India Youth Games.
National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) president Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo praised Sainyam’s achievement. Sainyam’s podium finish in Hangzhou is a testament to her dedication and technical discipline on the world stage. Competing against a top-tier international field requires immense composure, and her performance reflects the high standards she consistently strives for, he said.
Among other Indian shooters, Suruchi Inder Singh finished seventh in the final with a score of 137.6 after qualifying with 579-20x. Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker recorded the highest Indian score of 582-12x under RPO status. Esha Singh finished 13th with 577-22x, while Lakshita scored 572-14x in her RPO event.
Sainyam’s silver medal highlights India’s rising strength in shooting, with her consistent performances building momentum for future competitions.