Sainyam wins silver in 10m Air Pistol at ISSF World Cup Hangzhou 2025
Synopsis
Sainyam's 243.4 in the Hangzhou final wasn't just a silver — it was a statement of arrival at the senior level. The 22-year-old from Chandigarh, who swept junior gold in Suhl and Changwon in 2023, has now backed domestic trial dominance with a World Cup podium, opening India's medal tally in China while Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker competed outside contention under RPO status.
Key Takeaways
Sainyam won the silver medal in Women's 10m Air Pistol at the ISSF World Cup, Hangzhou on 24 July .
She scored 243.4 in the final, having qualified with 579 .
The medal opens India's tally at the Hangzhou World Cup.
Suruchi Inder Singh finished seventh in the final with 137.6 .
Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker led Indian qualifiers with 582-12x but competed under RPO status.
Sainyam previously won junior world golds in Suhl and Changwon in 2023 .
Indian shooter Sainyam claimed the silver medal in the Women's 10m Air Pistol event at the ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun in Hangzhou, China on 24 July, opening India's medal account at the tournament. Competing in a high-pressure final against an elite international field, the 22-year-old from Chandigarh delivered a composed showing to secure her place on the podium.
Final and Qualification Scores
Sainyam posted a final score of 243.4 to clinch the silver, having earlier qualified for the eight-woman final with a score of 579. The performance underlined her consistency at the senior level, where she has increasingly held her own against the world's best.
NRAI Reaction
Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo, President of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), praised the effort: 'Sainyam's podium finish in Hangzhou is a testament to her dedication and technical discipline on the world stage. Competing against a top-tier international field requires immense composure, and her performance reflects the high standards she consistently strives for. We commend her hard work and wish her continued success.'
Pawankumar Singh, Secretary General of the 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.'
Building on Strong Domestic Form
The Hangzhou silver extends a run of strong performances for Sainyam. She topped the 10m Air Pistol Trial 2 (T2) finals at the National Selection Trials in New Delhi with a score of 243.1, and had previously claimed silver at the ISSF World Cup Final in Doha. Her junior career included gold medals at the ISSF Junior World Cup in Suhl and the ISSF Junior World Championships in Changwon in 2023, along with a podium at the Khelo India Youth Games.
Other Indian Results
Suruchi Inder Singh also reached the eight-woman final, finishing seventh with a score of 137.6 after qualifying with 579-20x. In qualification, Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker recorded the highest score among the Indian contingent at 582-12x, though she competed under RPO (Ranking Points Only) status. Esha Singh finished 13th with 577-22x, while Lakshita posted 572-14x in her RPO outing.
What This Means for Indian Shooting
Sainyam's silver is India's first medal at this edition of the Hangzhou World Cup, and it signals a smooth transition from junior to senior ranks — a pipeline the NRAI has prioritised since the Paris Olympic cycle. With the next major qualification window approaching, consistent senior World Cup performances will be critical for national selection.
Point of View
Or whether the qualification-to-final conversion rate — historically a weak link in Indian shooting — improves with this generation.
NationPress
24 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Sainyam and where is she from?
Sainyam is a 22-year-old Indian sport shooter from Chandigarh who competes in the Women's 10m Air Pistol discipline. She has won gold medals at the ISSF Junior World Cup in Suhl and the ISSF Junior World Championships in Changwon in 2023, and has now established herself on senior World Cup podiums.
What score did Sainyam achieve in the Hangzhou final?
Sainyam scored 243.4 in the Women's 10m Air Pistol final at the ISSF World Cup in Hangzhou, securing the silver medal. She had qualified for the eight-woman final with a score of 579.
How did other Indian shooters perform in the event?
Suruchi Inder Singh reached the final and finished seventh with 137.6, qualifying with 579-20x. Manu Bhaker topped Indian qualifiers with 582-12x but competed under RPO status, meaning she was ineligible for medals. Esha Singh finished 13th with 577-22x, and Lakshita recorded 572-14x in her RPO outing.
What is RPO status in shooting competitions?
RPO stands for Ranking Points Only, a status under which a shooter competes to accumulate world ranking points but is not eligible to win medals or count in the official results for podium purposes. Manu Bhaker competed under this status in Hangzhou.
What is the significance of Sainyam's silver for India?
The silver is India's first medal at the ISSF World Cup in Hangzhou and marks Sainyam's continued rise from junior champion to senior World Cup podium finisher. It also highlights the growing depth in Indian women's air pistol ahead of the next Olympic qualification cycle.
