"Prefer not to overthink, will do my best on the big day" – Sift Kaur Samra refuses to contemplate on medal hopes ahead of Paris Games

Sift Kaur Samra, who bagged a bronze medal in the 50m rifle 3 positions event at the recent ISSF World Cup in Munich, refuses to be overawed or contemplate on medal hopes ahead of the Paris Games. The shooter from Faridkot insists that she needs to continue performing just as well as she did in the NRAI trials in India and the Munich World Cup without getting overly tense about the possible outcome in Paris.

During an exclusive interaction with Sportskeeda, Sift Kaur disclosed that while she preferred not to overthink, she would give it her best shot on the big day.

"I prefer not to overthink. I feel it's best to do one's bit on the big day rather than contemplate what could happen in advance. I will however train as best as I can. I do not see the benefits of getting stressed by thinking too much about the event before the actual day of the competition," Sift Kaur opined in a philosophical tone.

"Also, I would like to approach the Olympics just as I approached the (NRAI) trials back home in India or how I approached the World Cup for that matter. The fact that the Olympics is such a big event often makes one tense about the outcome," she declared.

Sift Kaur chooses not to harbor any expectations while looking to build on her performances in the recent past.

"As far as I am concerned, I have to continue doing what I do in all major tournaments and then look to build by scoring some extra points. I would not like to comment on medal hopes because I prefer not to have any expectations," the 23-year-old affirmed.

Sift Kaur blazed her way through the NRAI trials finishing ahead of her competitors while continuing her recent outstanding run, including a historic show at last year's Asian Games in Hangzhou.

"Was truly a joyful moment and I hope it doesn't get broken soon" - Sift Kaur reflects on world record set during 2023 Hangzhou Games

Sift Kaur alongside Ashi Chouksey (left) and Anjum Moudgil. (PC - NRAI/X)

Hangzhou continues to be special for Sift Kaur. It was during the 2023 Asian Games that she broke new ground by becoming the first Indian to win gold in the 50m rifle 3 positions individual event.

Establishing a new world record proved to be the icing on the cake for Sift Kaur, who went past the mark set by Britain's Seonaid McIntosh while also teaming up with Ashi Chouksey and Manini Kaushik to clinch silver.

"Hangzhou will always be special for me as it was my first medal at the Asian Games. I always wanted to see my name displayed as the shooter who finishes on top and that was a dream which was fulfilled at the Asian Games," Sift Kaur stated.

"Also, the fact that it was an individual gold medal added to the joy of the moment as it was also it was also a first. I had never expected to set a world record and the thought had never really crossed my mind at the time. It was a truly joyful moment and I hope the record doesn't get broken anytime soon," she said with a laugh.

At the 2023 Asian Games, Sift Kaur scored 154.6 points in the kneeling position before following it up with157.9 in prone and 157.1 in standing to finish ahead of China's Qiongyue Zhang with a total tally of 469.6 points in the 50m 3 positions event.

Sift Kaur has been selected to represent India in the women's 50m rifle 3 positions competition at the Paris Games as has Anjum Moudgil.