NEW DELHI: Suruchi-Manu finish 1-2 in Lima World Cup as Indian shooters achieved an impressive double podium finish in the women’s 10m air pistol final at the ISSF World Cup in Lima, Peru, on April 15, 2025. Suruchi Singh Inder, showing immense talent and poise, clinched her second consecutive World Cup gold with a remarkable score of 243.6. The silver medal was claimed by her fellow Indian shooter, Manu Bhaker, who scored 242.2, just 1.3 points behind Suruchi. Yao Qianxun from China secured the bronze with a score of 219.5.
India Dominates the Medal Standings
India’s overall performance on the opening day of the second ISSF World Cup stage in 2025 was outstanding, with Suruchi and Manu claiming the top two spots in the women’s 10m air pistol event, while Saurabh Chaudhary added to the nation’s success by winning the bronze medal in the men’s 10m air pistol.
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Suruchi and Manu had a strong start in the qualification rounds, where Suruchi finished in second place with a score of 582, and Manu secured fourth with 578. Their performances in qualification clearly showed their intent, and both shooters were set to contend for the top spots in the final. Despite strong competition, the Indian pair maintained their form and showed their class when it mattered most.
As the final progressed, Suruchi quickly gained momentum and climbed to second position after the first five shots. Yao Qianxun from China took the early lead, while Manu Bhaker struggled momentarily, falling to fourth behind Julieta Jimenez from Uruguay. However, both Suruchi and Manu found their rhythm and surged ahead as the pressure mounted. By the 16th and 17th shots, Manu had dropped two crucial points into the 9s, costing her the chance for the top spot. Suruchi, on the other hand, remained calm and composed, securing the gold.
Suruchi Singh Inder (Gold Medalist – Women’s 10m Air Pistol)
“This win means a lot to me. Back-to-back World Cup golds feel surreal, but I know there’s still a lot to work on.”
“Competing alongside legends like Manu di pushes me to perform better every time.”
“I kept my focus shot by shot. When I saw I had a lead going into the final two, I just reminded myself to stay calm and finish strong.”
Manu Bhaker (Silver Medalist – Women’s 10m Air Pistol)
“It makes me really happy to see young Indian shooters coming up and doing well at the international level.”
“Suruchi has done exceptionally well both in Buenos Aires and now in Lima, and I hope this continues for a long time.”
“At the same time, I hope to keep the pace up with the youngsters.”
“It feels good to be back on the podium.”
“I feel I improved a lot from last time, especially in the finals. The qualifications could have been better, but every day is a learning curve and I will try to improve on it next time.”
Saurabh Chaudhary (Bronze Medalist – Men’s 10m Air Pistol)
“I’m happy to start the season with a podium finish.”
“It wasn’t my best day in qualification, but I’m satisfied with how I managed pressure in the final.”
“The competition is getting tighter, and that motivates me to keep pushing harder.”
The day was a true testament to the rising power of Indian shooting on the international stage. With Suruchi’s gold and Manu’s silver, India has once again proven that it has a thriving shooting talent pool, capable of challenging for top honors. The stellar performances of these athletes have raised expectations for even greater success in the upcoming events as India continues to be a dominant force in the world of competitive shooting.
