Winning on Repeat: Phogat Spins World Cup Gold into a Trilogy

India's teenage shooting sensation Suruchi Phogat made history as she won her third consecutive gold in the women's 10m air pistol event at the ISSF World Cup in Munich. The 19-year-old Haryana girl got the better of a world-class field, including Olympic medallists, to become the first Indian shooter to win gold in her maiden three World Cup appearances.

 

Key Highlights:

 

•⁠  ⁠Phogat took a dramatic leap to victory with 241.9 to defeat France's Paris Olympic silver medallist Camille Jedrzejewski by 0.2 points, while China's Yao Qianxuan won the bronze.

 

•⁠  ⁠She matched the national qualification record with a score of 588, equaling Manu Bhaker's record.

 

•⁠  ⁠This Munich win comes after her gold medals in Buenos Aires (her first international tournament) and Lima, and she remains undefeated in all five senior international tournaments she has contested this year. Phogat's mental toughness was on display as she took charge again in the last two shots, shooting a clutch 10.5 to win the title.

 

•⁠  ⁠She has also helped India win in the mixed team, taking gold in Lima and bronze in Buenos Aires.

 

Outlook:

 

Suruchi Phogat's World Cup hat-trick of gold medals marks the advent of a new Indian shooting star. Cool and calm under pressure, she is set to be a formidable force in the upcoming international championships and the Paris Olympics. 

 

Source: Times of India, Economic Times, Indian Express, Reuters, Deccan Herald