The Asian Games 2026 witnessed a historic moment for Indian sports as trap shooter Neeru Dhanda secured a magnificent gold medal for the country. On Tuesday, September 29, the Indian contingent received exhilarating news from the shooting range. The day began on a positive note with India winning a silver medal, which was soon followed by the prestigious fifth gold medal of the tournament, courtesy of Neeru Dhanda's exceptional performance in the individual trap event. By winning this gold, Neeru Dhanda has etched her name in the record books as the first Indian female shooter to win a gold medal in an individual trap event at the Asian Games.
A Record Breaking Performance in the Finals
Neeru Dhanda's journey to the gold medal was marked by precision and consistency. She successfully made her way into the final round, which featured eight elite shooters. During the qualification phase, she displayed remarkable skill by scoring 118 points, a feat she shared with a shooter from Qatar. This score of 118 points has now been established as a new record in the history of the Asian Games. While Neeru excelled, other Indian participants in the event faced challenges. Ashima Ahlawat finished in 16th place, and Manisha Keer ended her campaign in 23rd position, resulting in their exit from the competition. However, Neeru Dhanda continued her dominant form throughout the final to ensure the gold medal for India.
Dominance in the Individual and Team Events
The individual gold wasn't Neeru's only contribution to India's medal tally at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in Japan, while earlier in the competition, she played a pivotal role in helping the Indian women's trap team secure a silver medal. In the individual final, Neeru Dhanda showcased her class by registering a score of 28 points. Her performance was superior to her competitors, as Sun Yunong of China could only manage 26 points, earning her the silver medal. The bronze medal was claimed by Hajar Abdulmalik, who finished with a score of 21 points. Neeru's ability to maintain her lead under pressure was the highlight of the final match.
Background and Previous Achievements
Neeru Dhanda, a 26 year old talented shooter hailing from Haryana, is no stranger to international success. Before her triumph at the Asian Games, she had already proven her mettle on the global stage by winning a gold medal at the Shotgun World Cup 2026 held in Italy in July. During that World Cup, she had also set a significant benchmark by scoring 28 points, effectively breaking the previous Asian record of 24 points. Her consistent performance over the months has established her as one of the premier trap shooters in the world.
Historical Significance for Indian Shooting
Neeru Dhanda's achievement is particularly significant as she's the first Indian woman to win an individual gold in trap or skeet events at the Asian Games. In the history of Indian shooting at the Asian Games, individual gold medals in trap events have been rare. Previously, Randhir Singh had won a historic gold medal in the trap event during the 1978 Asian Games. Later, in the 2010 Asian Games, Ronjan Sodhi secured an individual gold medal for India in the double trap event. Neeru Dhanda now joins this elite group of shooters, breaking a long-standing barrier for female athletes in this discipline. Her victory is a testament to her hard work and the growing prowess of Indian shooters on the international stage.