In 2021, she was all set to embark on her journey to becoming a doctor. But, she decided to take a shot at what she wanted more, and ended up becoming the top shot at the Asian Games 2023. Sift Kaur Samra’s story is one of not just resilience, but that of self-belief as well.
The 22-year old, who hails from Punjab, became the first individual gold medalist for India at the Asian Games 2023 claiming the top prize in the Women’s 50m Rifle 3 Position event after she, alongside, Ashi Chouksey and Manini Kaushik clinched silver in the team event.
Asian Games 2023: Medal Tally, Schedule, Results, Date, Venues & More
And it’s not only medals but @SiftkaurSamra has nailed it with a #worldrecord score 469.6. It was also @ashichouksey7 s third medal of the @19thAGofficial Take it away girls#TeamIndia #Nishanebaaz #AsianGames #India pic.twitter.com/mG10NQoux8— NRAI (@OfficialNRAI) September 27, 2023
For the young shooter, who took up the sport seven years ago, taking the stage at Hangzhou would have been a distant dream. But, here she stands now; tall and all by herself at the very top of the sport, after setting a new world record en route to her gold-winning performance.
“I was not particularly preparing for the Asian Games because I believe we have to have short term goals first. I am usually focused on whatever my next outing is.
“But, I think this was one of the best finals (games) I have ever played…From the starting of qualification till the end, my performances were consistent,” stated an elated Sift Kaur in an exclusive interview with CNN-News18.
#AsianGames2023 | Sift Kaur Samra (@SiftSamra) creates world record to clinch 50M rifle shooting goldIn an #exclusive interview with CNN-News18’s @ShivaniGupta_5, Samra says, “A lot of people told me there is no secure career. But my parents believed in me.” #AsianGames pic.twitter.com/TuKnzMpcwF
— News18 (@CNNnews18) September 28, 2023
Despite the undeniable talent the young buck possesses, Kaur also stated that her road to glory was not one she would have fathomed to explore, had it not been for the support of her parents.
Sift Kaur, who cleared her NEET exams in 2021, was well on her way to becoming a doctor. The then-18-year-old, who was ranked 18th in Seniors at the National level, had to choose between her degree or her shooting career. That is when her parents came into play and instilled the faith in her to pursue her dreams and shoot for the stars.
“It was the toughest decision of my life. My parents though gave me the opportunity and freedom to pursue my shooting career and not worry about the degree…A lot of people told my parents that there is no secure career in this sport, but they supported me and believed in me.”
The role her parents play in her career and life does not just end there. In fact, Sift Kaur attributes her success to the dedication of her father.
“My father used to take me to all the different ranges across the country… He was always there for me, and he used to leave his work aside in order to take me to the shooting ranges… I come from a small town in Punjab which didn’t have any shooting range so he built a shooting range for me at our home just so I could practice. So, yes, he did a lot for me,” exclaimed a proud and joyous Sift Kaur.
Like she said herself, Kaur isn’t one to look too far ahead but rather one to look at what’s in front of her first and take it one at a time. And up next in her sights are the upcoming Asian Championships, where she will be gunning to take her shot at glory yet again.
Asian Games 2023: Medal Tally, Schedule, Results, Date, Venues & More