Sift Kaur Samra, one of India’s top shooting stars, faced immense pressure at the Paris Olympics, where she failed to meet her own high expectations. As the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games champion and the world record holder, Sift had hoped to bring home a medal. However, she finished 31st in the 50m rifle three positions event at the National Shooting Center in Chateauroux, which left her feeling dejected. The Olympics, with all its hype and build-up, turned out to be a tough challenge for her, much like it was for other Indian shooters like Saurabh Chaudhary and Manu Bhaker in previous Games.
Overcoming the Setback and Focusing on Recovery
Instead of dwelling on her disappointment, Sift chose to focus on her training. A day after returning from Paris, she started preparing for her state trials and participated in the World University Shooting Championship in Delhi. Staying close to her friends and fellow shooters in the Capital allowed her to maintain a balanced routine, both mentally and physically. After some time, Sift took a short break to spend time with her family in Faridkot, which helped her recharge for the upcoming challenges.
Returning Strong: Gold at ISSF World Cup
Sift quickly regained her confidence, winning gold at the National Games and performing well in the selection trials. Her first major international competition since the Paris Olympics saw her shine at the ISSF World Cup in Buenos Aires. Despite the windy and cold conditions, she put up an impressive performance, finishing first in qualification with a score of 590. This victory was even more significant as she faced tough competition from Olympic champion Chiara Leone and 2021 Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Nina Christen.
A Comeback in the Final: Rising from a Poor Start
Sift had a rough start in the kneeling position during the final but managed to recover strongly in the prone and standing positions. With each shot, she grew more confident and climbed to the top spot. In the end, she scored 458.6 points, surpassing Anita Mangold from Germany, who finished second with 455.3 points. Kazakhstan’s Arina Altukhova took the bronze with 445.9 points. Her coach, Deepali Deshpande, praised Sift’s resilience, noting how she often bounces back after a tough start.
Coach’s Insight on Sift’s Progress
According to rifle team chief coach Deepali Deshpande, Sift has overcome the setback from Paris with determination. She has always been able to recover from difficult situations, particularly in kneeling, and her strong performances in prone and standing positions helped her secure the gold. Coach Deshpande also highlighted that Sift, being young, took some time to get over the Paris disappointment, but she has now returned to her comfort zone with focused training and competition.
Reflecting on Paris: It Wasn’t Her Day
In an earlier interview, Sift had shared her reflections on the Paris Olympics. She explained that the focus on a single competition, especially one as significant as the Olympics, made the experience overwhelming. The constant reminders from others added to the pressure, leading her to feel the weight of expectations. “It wasn’t just like any other competition,” she said, acknowledging how difficult it was to stay focused during such an intense event.
Other Indian Shooters at the ISSF World Cup
Manu Bhaker Finishes 6th in 25m Pistol Event
Manu Bhaker, returning to international competition after her Paris Olympics experience, qualified for the 25m pistol final. However, she finished sixth after a strong start but slipping as the match progressed. She lost a shoot-off with Germany’s Doreen Vennekamp, but she will continue to compete in the 10m air pistol and mixed team events.
Esha Wins Silver in 25m Pistol Event
Asian Games medalist Esha was consistent throughout the 45-shot final, shooting three excellent series and securing the silver medal with 35 hits. This was her second ISSF World Cup individual medal, following her silver in Cairo in 2022. China’s Sun Yujie won gold with 38 hits, and Sixuan Feng took the bronze. Esha had qualified for the final with a score of 579, securing seventh place.
Chain Singh Clinches Bronze in Men’s 50m Rifle Three Positions
In the men’s 50m rifle three positions event, veteran shooter Chain Singh bagged a bronze medal. All three Indian shooters in the final—Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Niraj Kumar, and Chain Singh—performed well. Chain Singh finished third with a score of 443.7 points, earning a podium finish.