Left MBBS Course To Concentrate On Full-Time Shooting, Sift Kaur Samra Shines With Gold At Asian Games 2023

Both fields demand precision of highest order from the practitioner but in March this year, Sift Kaur Samra took a decision that picking up a rifle is better career option than choosing to use a scalpel. It was an inspired call. The 23-year-old, dropped from her MBBS course to concentrate on full-time shooting. And on Wednesday, the decision seemed to be a complete 'Bulls Eye' as she won the gold medal in the women's 50m 3P event at the Asian Games in Hangzhou.

(Asian Games 2023 Medals Tally | Asian Games 2023 Full Schedule)

Samra was juggling between her MBBS studies at the GGS Medical College (in Faridkot) and shooting but ultimately decided to change her course.

"I dropped out from MBBS in March. I am currently doing Bachelor of Physical Education and Sports from GNDU in Amritsar," Samra said after winning a historic Asian Games gold in women's 50m rifle 3P event with a world record score.

In India, the trend in middle-class and upper-middle class families normally is to see parents pushing their children to excel academically. But Samra was blessed to have parents who wanted to see her break records in the shooting range.

Asked why he left the MBBS course, she said, "I don't know. It is my parents' decision. That is not in my hands. I can't do anything. I can go for Civil Services also." The 23-year-old from Faridkot in Punjab also said that she was an accidental shooter.

"That one was a mixed choice (choosing to be a shooter). I was an accidental shooter. A shotgun shooter, my cousin introduced me to shooting. My first state event went well and all my relatives told my parents that I should go for shooting. Luckily, it worked and I am a shooter now." She said she started with 10m event and pursued 3P much later.

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