The top five in contention for the ISSF Women's Rifle Athlete of the Year award have been confirmed, to be announced during the Opening Ceremony of the 2025 ISSF World Cup Final in Doha, Qatar, on 5 December.
Based on the votes of independent specialists from the ISSF Athletes' Committee, Coaches Committee and a selected panel of media, the top five in men's and women's rifle, pistol and shotgun have been determined. All athletes were eligible for voting.
The top athletes, in alphabetical order, are as followed.
Based on the votes of independent specialists from the ISSF Athletes' Committee, Coaches Committee and a selected panel of media, the top five in men's and women's rifle, pistol and shotgun have been determined. All athletes were eligible for voting.
The top athletes, in alphabetical order, are as followed.
Jeanette Hegg Duestad
After some near calls, Jeanette Hegg Duestad finally took the world title in the 50m rifle 3 positions final. It was an incredible campaign for the Norwegian, who won silver in the 300m rifle 3 positions and 50m rifle prone events too. In her six individual events, her lowest finish was 11th.
But even before then, Duestad was the favourite coming into Cairo. She had 50m rifle 3 positions victories at the end of the season in Munich and Ningbo, after silver in Lima. Her other World Cup medals included two mixed team golds, and a 10m air rifle silver from Ningbo. She would just miss out on the podium twice in the 10m air rifle, when she finished fourth in Lima and Munich.
The Norwegian also won the European title in the 300m rifle 3 positions, also claiming silver in the 50m 3 positions final.
After some near calls, Jeanette Hegg Duestad finally took the world title in the 50m rifle 3 positions final. It was an incredible campaign for the Norwegian, who won silver in the 300m rifle 3 positions and 50m rifle prone events too. In her six individual events, her lowest finish was 11th.
But even before then, Duestad was the favourite coming into Cairo. She had 50m rifle 3 positions victories at the end of the season in Munich and Ningbo, after silver in Lima. Her other World Cup medals included two mixed team golds, and a 10m air rifle silver from Ningbo. She would just miss out on the podium twice in the 10m air rifle, when she finished fourth in Lima and Munich.
The Norwegian also won the European title in the 300m rifle 3 positions, also claiming silver in the 50m 3 positions final.
Kwon Eun-ji
The Republic of Korea have had strong performances this year, and one of their underrated athletes has been 22-year-old Kwon Eun-ji.
Having won her first ISSF World Cup gold last year in Granada, this year, she added two silver medals in the 10m air rifle in Buenos Aires and Munich. She would also finish fifth in Ningbo and sixth in Lima - a tremendous show of consistency.
She would also make the world final of the 10m air rifle, finishing seventh, shortly after taking bronze at the Asian Championships.
The Republic of Korea have had strong performances this year, and one of their underrated athletes has been 22-year-old Kwon Eun-ji.
Having won her first ISSF World Cup gold last year in Granada, this year, she added two silver medals in the 10m air rifle in Buenos Aires and Munich. She would also finish fifth in Ningbo and sixth in Lima - a tremendous show of consistency.
She would also make the world final of the 10m air rifle, finishing seventh, shortly after taking bronze at the Asian Championships.
Peng Xinlu
The Chinese team has been outstanding in 2025 and their newest star has already made waves at the age of 16.
Already the world record and junior world record holder, Peng Xinlu made her ISSF World Cup debut with victory in the 10m air rifle final, adding a silver in the mixed team event. This came shortly after her Asian Championships debut, where she took silver in both events.
And on her debut at the ISSF World Championship, she won the mixed team silver medal, while narrowly missing the individual final in 10th place. A strong run of results already.
The Chinese team has been outstanding in 2025 and their newest star has already made waves at the age of 16.
Already the world record and junior world record holder, Peng Xinlu made her ISSF World Cup debut with victory in the 10m air rifle final, adding a silver in the mixed team event. This came shortly after her Asian Championships debut, where she took silver in both events.
And on her debut at the ISSF World Championship, she won the mixed team silver medal, while narrowly missing the individual final in 10th place. A strong run of results already.
Sift Kaur Samra
India's Sift Kaur Samra won her first ISSF World Cup gold in 2025 in Buenos Aires in the 50m rifle 3 positions final, adding a bronze in Munich. Three of her best career results came this season, having also finished 13th in Lima.
However, her crowning moment saw her win her first Asian title, winning gold in the women's 50m rifle 3 positions final. She also placed fifth in the 50m rifle prone.
India's Sift Kaur Samra won her first ISSF World Cup gold in 2025 in Buenos Aires in the 50m rifle 3 positions final, adding a bronze in Munich. Three of her best career results came this season, having also finished 13th in Lima.
However, her crowning moment saw her win her first Asian title, winning gold in the women's 50m rifle 3 positions final. She also placed fifth in the 50m rifle prone.
Wang Zifei
Still just 18 years old, Wang Zifei was in red-hot form, winning the first three ISSF World Cup gold medals in the 10m air rifle in Buenos Aires, Lima and Munich, also breaking the qualification world record in June.
The unbeaten run would end at the ISSF World Championship, where she claimed a very respectable silver in Cairo, and the mixed team gold with Sheng Lihao. In her less-favoured 50m rifle 3 positions event, she made the final, placing sixth.
While the undefeated streak ended, the future is very bright for Wang.
Still just 18 years old, Wang Zifei was in red-hot form, winning the first three ISSF World Cup gold medals in the 10m air rifle in Buenos Aires, Lima and Munich, also breaking the qualification world record in June.
The unbeaten run would end at the ISSF World Championship, where she claimed a very respectable silver in Cairo, and the mixed team gold with Sheng Lihao. In her less-favoured 50m rifle 3 positions event, she made the final, placing sixth.
While the undefeated streak ended, the future is very bright for Wang.