Nischal Singh announced her arrival on the big stage by claiming silver in women’s 50m rifle three positions on concluding day of the ISSF World Cup in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The 19-year-old from India shot the second best qualification score of 592 two points behind the 2022 World Champion Wanru Miao of China.
Nischal, who was the youngest of the eight finalists, shot 450.0 in the final to finish second behind Norway’s Jeanette Hegg Duestad 461.5 (590).
This was Nischal’s first appearance in a World Cup final and she made the most of it for a podium finish.
“I am feeling very good. It was my first final and I made it to the podium. It’s such a great achievement for me and I am very happy”, said Nischal.
2018 Youth Olympic Games Champion Stephanie Grundsoee of Denmark took the bronze with 447.6, her first World Cup medal.
The other two Indians in the fray, Tokyo Olympian Anjum Moudgil (586) missed the cut for the final by a point and finished 11th while Ayushi Podder (580) was placed 39th in a field of 55 shooters.
It was the second medal for India, following the gold by Elavenil Valarivan in women 10m air rifle.
The 16-member Indian shooting team finished joint fifth with Germany and France with a gold and silver. Italy was on top with two gold and a bronze while China was second with a gold, four silver and three bronze.
This was the year’s last ISSF World Cup for rifle and pistol. It will be followed by the ISSF World Cup Final in Doha, Qatar, scheduled from November 18 to 27.