Sainyam Wins 10m Air Pistol Silver at ISSF World Cup in China

Anirudh Jain - Kolkata Bureau Jul 25, 2026 1,450 Views

Indian shooter Sainyam Vij won the silver medal in the women’s 10m air pistol event at the ISSF World Cup in Hangzhou, China, scoring 243.4 in the final. She finished just 0.2 points behind China's Yao Qianxun, securing India’s first medal of the tournament.

HANGZHOU — Indian shooter Sainyam Vij secured the silver medal in the women’s 10m air pistol event at the ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun in Hangzhou, China, on Friday, July 24, 2026. The achievement opened India’s medal tally at the tournament. Competing against an elite global field that included Olympic champions and world number ones, the 22-year-old Chandigarh athlete finished second with a score of 243.4, missing the gold medal by just 0.2 points.

The podium finish highlights the strength of India’s junior-to-senior pipeline in target shooting, affirming Sainyam’s trajectory among the nation’s top international pistol competitors.

Intense Final at Fuyang Yinhu Sports Centre

Sainyam advanced to the eight-woman final after placing tenth in the qualification round with a score of 579. She entered the final field as two shooters ahead of her—including two-time Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker, who topped the Indian contingent with 582—competed under Ranking Points Only (RPO) status, making them ineligible for the final.

In the final, Sainyam overcame a slow opening series of 49.7 to bounce back with a field-high 51.9 in the second series. She remained in contention throughout the elimination stage alongside China's world No. 1 Yao Qianxun. Sainyam closed the final with shots of 10.6 and 10.7, but Yao held on with a score of 243.6 to claim gold on home soil. Hanieh Rostamian of Iran captured the bronze medal with a score of 221.0. Fellow Indian shooter Suruchi Inder Singh finished seventh.

Domestic Form and International Growth

Sainyam's performance in Hangzhou builds upon strong domestic form. Prior to the event, she topped the 10m air pistol Trial 2 finals at the National Selection Trials in New Delhi with a score of 243.1.

The silver medal in Hangzhou marks her second senior international World Cup medal, following her silver-medal finish at the ISSF World Cup Final in Doha. Earlier in her career, she earned gold medals at the 2023 ISSF Junior World Cup in Suhl and the ISSF Junior World Championships in Changwon.

Official Sources

According to official press releases and announcements from event organizers:

The International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) confirmed the final standings, with China's Yao Qianxun scoring 243.6 for gold and India's Sainyam securing silver with 243.4.
The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) issued a statement acknowledging the performance as India's first medal at the Hangzhou World Cup.

Official Quotes

"Sainyam's podium finish in Hangzhou is a testament to her dedication and technical discipline on the world stage," said Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo, President of the National Rifle Association of India. "Competing against a top-tier international field requires immense composure, and her performance reflects the high standards she consistently strives for."

Pawankumar Singh, Secretary General of NRAI, added: "Sainyam's progression from winning medals at the junior level to standing on senior World Cup podiums demonstrates her growth as an elite shooter. Her resilience under pressure continues to inspire young athletes coming through our domestic system."

Regarding her own approach, Sainyam stated: "Whenever I shoot, I don't shoot with the idea of whom I am competing against. The key for me was to believe in what I have been doing in training."

Why It Matters

Sainyam’s podium finish reinforces the depth of Indian shooting in the 10m air pistol category. With major international tournaments ahead, including World Championship events, consistent top-tier results strengthen internal competition within the national squad while providing valuable ranking points for Indian athletes on the global stage.

Key Facts at a Glance

Event: Women's 10m Air Pistol at ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun in Hangzhou, China.
Result: Sainyam Vij won silver with a score of 243.4 in the final.
Margin: Missed gold by 0.2 points to China's Yao Qianxun (243.6).
Significance: Opened India's medal account at the 2026 Hangzhou ISSF World Cup.