In a remarkable display of skill and determination,Sainyam Vij clinched a silver medal at the ISSF World Cup held in Hangzhou, China. This achievement marks a significant turnaround for the Chandigarh shooter, who faced a challenging 2025 season without reaching any finals.
Vij's podium finish is particularly noteworthy as it represents India's first medal at this year's World Cup, boost for the national shooting team. Reflecting on her performance, she expressed that the medal is a reward for her perseverance and a World Championships.
“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,” Vij stated. Last year proved difficult for her, as she struggled to make it to any finals. Her recent success, however, has strengthened her resolve and confidence.
Competing against a formidable field that included an Olympic champion and the current world No. 1,Vij maintained her focus throughout the event. “There was nothing in my mind about who I was shooting against. My only thought was to do my work and perform my best,” she remarked, emphasizing her commitment to her performance over the competition.
In the final,Vij initially scored 49.7, placing her fifth. However, she rebounded impressively with a second-series score of 51.9, tying for the lead with Qianxun, a Chinese shooter. As the competition progressed, Vij remained in contention, trailing Qianxun by just 0.6 points before final series.
Despite delivering two strong final shots of 10.6 and 10.7, which surpassed Qianxun’s scores of 10.3 and 10.4, Vij finished just 0.2 points shy of gold . “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,showcasing her mental resilience.
The silver medal not only signifies a personal victory for Vij but also serves as a morale booster for the Indian shooting contingent. “Everyone is happy that we’ve finally got a medal. It motivates all of us because it shows that we can win,” she noted, highlighting the collective spirit of the team .
Vij credited her success to her national coach, Samaresh Jung, Olympian himself, who has played a crucial role in her development. “We have a great relationship as coach and student. He has helped me lot with my technicalities and mental training. He motivates me and guides me on the right path,” she concluded,acknowledging the importance of mentorship in her journey.
