‘Golden girl’ of Indian shooting, Suruchi Phogat, gears up to be at her best in Munich

With three gold medals and a bronze in the four events that she competed in at the last two World Cups in Buenos Aires and Lima, Suruchi Phogat is undoubtedly the golden girl of Indian shooting at the moment.

As the Indian team was getting ready to leave for the World Cup in Munich, Germany, Suruchi said that she would continue to aim to be at her best and not worry about the scores at the Dr. Karni Singh Range in Tughlakabad during the launch of the logo of the Shooting League of India (SLI).

Cheerful, soft-spoken and speaking with a clear mind, the 19-year-old Suruchi revealed that she does not try hard to shoot better scores but does everything possible to give her best in every event.

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“From the national trials, national championships, National Games, to the trials again, and now in World Cups, the advice by coach Suresh Singh has worked very well for me. I believe that the better scores would happen along the way if I stick to the right process,” said Suruchi, quite at ease in keeping things simple.

She recalled the advice from seasoned shooter Jitu Rai, who is now the coach of the Indian team, about a few finer points that have helped her be at her best in international competitions.

“I am happy to have won three gold medals so far. I want to win medals in Munich. The World Champonships later in the season is bigger, and then there is the Asian Championship also. I also want to do well in the World Cup Finals, as my name has already been confirmed,” said Suruchi, quite pleased to be adding to her international exposure.

Every shooter would love to know Suruchi’s secret of such consistency in the international arena, and her younger brother Nishant is no exception.

“He also shoots air pistol. He shoots 580 in practice. He does want to know what I do to win all these gold medals. I just tell him that when he gets to that level, it would happen on its own for him also,” said Suruchi.

A first-year student of B.A., Suruchi plans to move to Chandigarh University for the great support it extends to the sportspersons.

“I want to compete in the World University championships,” said the 19-year-old, who is quite content to stick to the air pistol and not venture into the world of 25-metre sports pistol.

“There is so much to learn and achieve in air pistol. I want to stay focused on it without complicating matters with another event, for now,” said Suruchi.