In this post:
- Suruchi’s rise from Haryana to the world stage
- Her clean sweep at Nationals and ISSF wins
- What makes her different from others (even Manu Bhaker)
- What’s next for India’s newest shooting prodigy
There’s something about Suruchi Phogat that instantly grabs you and it’s not just her scores.
| Detail | Stat / Info |
|---|---|
| Age | 19 |
| Home State | Haryana |
| Event | 10m Air Pistol |
| Major Wins (2024–25) | 3× Gold at National Championships (Senior, Junior, Youth) |
| ISSF World Cup Gold (Buenos Aires, Lima) | |
| Highest Final Score (10m Air Pistol) | 243.6 |
| Beat Manu Bhaker? | Yes, at Lima ISSF Final |
| Olympic Target | Paris 2024 (likely backup), LA 2028 (prime target) |
| Training Style | Calm focus, no over-analysis |
The Calm Before the Shot
She’s 19. Quiet. Focused. The kind of athlete who doesn’t look left or right when she walks to the shooting line. In a sport where pressure eats talent for breakfast, Suruchi Phogat looks like she doesn’t even feel it.
Over the last year, she’s gone from being a promising junior to one of the most talked-about names in Indian shooting. And if you’ve followed the sport even a little, you’ve probably seen her name climbing up scoreboards across the country, and now, the world.
Dominating Home Turf and World Cups
In December 2024, Suruchi did something incredible. She won gold in all three divisions, senior, junior, and youth, at the National Shooting Championships. That’s rare. Most shooters take years to master just one category. She dominated all three.
Then came 2025. She showed up at the ISSF World Cups in Buenos Aires and Lima and walked away with gold both times. What made Lima extra special? She beat Manu Bhaker in the final. Not edged past. Beat with a final score of 243.6 to Manu’s 242.3.
That match said something loud. She’s not just coming up. She’s already here.
More Than Just “The Next Manu”
Naturally, people started calling her “the next Manu.” But Suruchi isn’t trying to be a copy of anyone. When asked about the pressure of competing with big names, she calmly said, “I only compete with myself.”
That’s the kind of mindset that separates good athletes from great ones. She’s still young, just 19, and already showing maturity well beyond her years. She’s not chasing noise. She’s chasing mastery.
What Lies Ahead
Right now, it’s all about consistency in global tournaments. Paris 2024 might be a bit early, but Los Angeles 2028? That’s where she’s aiming. She’ll be 22 then. That’s prime time.
There’s still a long road ahead, but the signs are clear. The calm, the scores, the hunger, it’s all there. She may not post training montages or trend on Instagram, but she’s clocking in the work that actually matters.
Why We’re Watching
We’re not writing this to call her a medal hope. We’re writing it because it’s special to watch a star form before the lights hit. Suruchi Phogat is one of those stories. Quiet now, maybe. But unforgettable soon.
And when that anthem plays on a big stage one day, don’t act surprised. You heard the name here first.