Sainyam Vij wins ISSF World Cup silver in Hangzhou after tough 2025
Synopsis
After failing to reach a single final throughout 2025, Sainyam Vij produced a field-best second series of 51.9 to storm from fifth place to the silver-medal position at the ISSF World Cup in Hangzhou — giving India its first podium of the competition and signalling a sharp turnaround ahead of the World Championships.
Key Takeaways
Sainyam Vij won silver at the ISSF World Cup in Hangzhou, China on 25 July .
It is her first ISSF World Cup medal at senior level and India's first medal of the competition.
She recovered from a 49.7 opening series (fifth place) with a field-best 51.9 in the second series.
She finished 0.2 points behind gold medallist Qianxun of China despite closing with 10.6 and 10.7 .
National coach and Olympian Samaresh Jung was credited for her technical and mental development.
Sainyam had failed to reach any final during the 2025 season before this breakthrough.
Sainyam Vij clinched a silver medal at the ISSF World Cup in Hangzhou, China, on 25 July, becoming India's first medallist at the competition and calling the podium finish a deeply personal milestone after a difficult 2025 season in which she failed to reach a single final. The Chandigarh shooter said the result has sharpened her confidence ahead of the World Championships later this year.
A Hard-Earned First Senior Medal
'It's really special to me because this is my first ISSF World Cup medal at the senior level. It came after such a long wait. Last year was really tough for me as I wasn't able to make any finals, so this means a lot,' Sainyam said after the event. Simply reaching the final represented a turnaround from her 2025 struggles, and the silver underlined how far she has come in a short span.
Composure Against a Formidable Field
Sainyam competed against a lineup that included an Olympic champion, the reigning world No. 1, and two Chinese shooters competing on home range — yet she insisted the opposition never occupied her thoughts. 'There was nothing in my mind about who I was shooting against. My only thought was to do my work and perform my best. Whoever performs better deserves to win,' she said.
How the Final Unfolded
The Indian opened with a 49.7 in the first series, leaving her in fifth place. She responded in the second series with a field-best 51.9, drawing level with China's Qianxun at the top of the standings. Sainyam remained in medal contention throughout, trailing Qianxun by just 0.6 points entering the final series. She closed strongly with shots of 10.6 and 10.7 — superior to Qianxun's 10.3 and 10.4 — but the earlier deficit proved decisive. She finished 0.2 points behind the gold medallist.
Reflecting on her slow start, Sainyam said she made a conscious choice to move on rather than dwell on the opening series. 'I had to take the first series out of my mind. If I had stayed stuck on it, I could have spoiled my whole match. I just learnt from it and focused on what I had to do next,' she explained.
Impact on the Indian Contingent
Sainyam expressed hope that India's first podium finish of the World Cup would lift the spirits of the broader squad. 'Everyone is happy that we've finally got a medal. It motivates all of us because it shows that we can win,' she said. The medal is seen as a timely confidence boost for the Indian shooting team heading into the second half of the international calendar.
The Coach Behind the Comeback
Sainyam credited national coach and Olympian Samaresh Jung as a key figure in her resurgence, citing his work on both her technical execution and mental conditioning. 'We have a great relationship as coach and student. He has helped me a lot with my technicalities and mental training. He motivates me and guides me on the right path,' she said. The partnership underscores the growing emphasis Indian shooting has placed on structured psychological preparation at the elite level.
Point of View
Against a field containing an Olympic champion and the world No. 1, suggests the psychological coaching under Samaresh Jung is producing measurable results. What the result also highlights is how thin the margin is at the top: 0.2 points separated silver from gold. India's shooting programme has the technical depth; the World Championships will test whether that composure holds under even higher stakes.
NationPress
25 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What medal did Sainyam Vij win at the ISSF World Cup in Hangzhou?
Sainyam Vij won a silver medal at the ISSF World Cup in Hangzhou, China, on 25 July. It was her first ISSF World Cup medal at the senior level and India's first podium finish of the competition.
How did Sainyam Vij perform in the final?
She opened with a 49.7 to sit fifth, then posted a field-best 51.9 in the second series to draw level at the top. She ultimately finished 0.2 points behind gold medallist Qianxun of China despite closing with shots of 10.6 and 10.7.
Why is this medal significant for Sainyam Vij?
Sainyam failed to reach any final throughout the 2025 season, making even qualifying for this final a breakthrough. The silver medal marks her first senior ISSF World Cup podium and a major confidence boost ahead of the World Championships later this year.
Who is Sainyam Vij's coach and what role did he play?
Her national coach is Olympian Samaresh Jung, whom Sainyam credited for helping her refine her technical execution and mental conditioning. She described their relationship as pivotal to her comeback.
What competition comes next for Sainyam Vij after this result?
Sainyam has indicated that the World Championships later in 2025 is her next major target. She said the silver medal has reinforced her belief and the result is expected to lift confidence across the Indian contingent as well.
