Neeru Dhanda Shoots Historic Trap Gold at Asian Games

The Cliff News | 29 September 2026

Neeru Dhanda has etched her name in Indian sporting history by securing the nation's first individual women's trap shooting gold medal at the Asian Games. The remarkable feat, achieved on a challenging day marked by relentless rain and cold temperatures, also saw Dhanda set a new continental record.

The 26-year-old shooter, a Naib Subedar in the Indian Army, displayed exceptional composure and precision, hitting 28 out of 30 targets in the final to outshine competitors from China and Kuwait. This victory marks the end of a 48-year wait for an individual trap gold medal for India at the continental event.

A Landmark Achievement for Indian Shooting

Dhanda's triumph is significant not only for being the first individual medal for India in women's trap at the Asian Games but also for being the country's sole individual shooting gold medal at the ongoing Games. This breakthrough comes after a period where Indian rifle and pistol shooters had faced a difficult campaign.

Her performance was particularly astonishing given that she had been battling a severe illness, possibly H1N1, just ten days prior to the competition. Hospitalised in Bhopal, she experienced a five-day period where she was unable to eat, making her participation and competitive form uncertain.

Overcoming Adversity for Gold

Despite the health scare, Dhanda received crucial encouragement from her personal coach, former international shooter and Commonwealth Games gold-medallist Mansher Singh. He advised her to put the illness behind her and concentrate solely on the targets, a piece of advice that proved pivotal.

The shooter from Haryana's Jind demonstrated her intent from the qualification rounds, finishing with a commanding 95 out of 100 targets to lead into the final day. Despite worsening weather conditions that severely impacted visibility of the clay targets, Dhanda maintained her nerve.

Team Silver and Dominant Final Performance

The qualification scores also contributed to the team event, where Dhanda, alongside Aashima Ahlawat and Manisha Keer, secured a silver medal for India. The team's aggregate score was 328, with China claiming gold and Kuwait taking bronze.

In the women's trap final, Dhanda delivered a consistently strong performance. Even as rivals faltered under the difficult conditions, she maintained her rhythm and accuracy. Holding a two-point lead heading into the final five shots, she sealed her gold medal with a perfect score.

"Mansher sir only told me to forget what has happened and focus on the target, which I did."

The victory was met with widespread celebration. India's British coach, Olympic gold-medallist Peter Wilson, draped Dhanda in the Indian tricolour, a moment symbolizing the magnitude of her achievement.

Dedication and Future Aspirations

Dhanda dedicated her historic gold medal to the jawans who guard India's borders, emphasizing that her achievement pales in comparison to their service. She also paid tribute to Randhir Singh ji, the first Indian trap shooter to win an Asian Games gold in 1978, remembering him as a warm individual who offered wisdom and encouragement.

This win adds another significant chapter to Indian shooting legacy, following Randhir Singh's 1978 gold and Ronjan Sodhi's double-trap gold at the 2010 Guangzhou Games. Dhanda's achievement opens new horizons for Indian women in shotgun shooting.

Her journey has been one of resilience, culminating from a hospital bed to the top of the podium. Looking ahead, Dhanda expressed her ambition to achieve glory at the Olympic Games, viewing her current medals as crucial stepping stones towards that ultimate goal.

In related events, India could not secure podium finishes in the men's trap competition, neither in the team nor individual categories.