Neeru Dhanda turned a strong year on the international shooting circuit into an Asian Games breakthrough on September 29.
The 26-year-old Indian shooter dominated the women’s individual trap final in Aichi-Nagoya, hit 28 targets and claimed gold with a new Asian record.
Key Takeaways
- Neeru Dhanda won the women’s individual trap gold with 28 hits in Aichi-Nagoya.
- Her victory made her the first Indian woman to win an Asian Games individual trap medal.
- The 26-year-old shooter added the Asian Games title to her 2025 Asian Shooting Championship and 2026 World Cup golds.
Neeru Dhanda Delivers Historic Trap Performance
Neeru Dhanda produced the defining performance of her career in the women’s individual trap final at the Asian Games. She finished with 28 hits to secure the gold medal and set a new Asian record.
China’s Sun Yunong took silver after recording 26 hits. Kuwait’s Hajar Abdulmalik finished third with 21 hits.
The result created a new milestone for Indian women’s trap shooting. Neeru became the first Indian woman to win an Asian Games medal in the individual trap event.
A Breakthrough Year Reaches Another Peak
The Asian Games title adds another major achievement to Neeru’s rapid rise in international shooting.
She won the women’s trap title at the 2025 Asian Shooting Championship. Earlier this year, she produced an even bigger breakthrough at the ISSF Shotgun World Cup in Lonato, Italy.
Neeru became the first Indian woman to win individual World Cup gold in women’s trap at the Lonato event. She also secured a mixed-team bronze at the World Cup in Almaty.
Her latest victory now places an Asian Games gold alongside those international achievements.
Neeru Recovers After Early Setback
The final also showcased Neeru’s ability to regain control after a mistake.
She opened the competition strongly. However, she missed once in her second series and briefly fell behind Sun and Abdulmalik.
The error did not affect her rhythm for long. Neeru responded with two successive perfect series and quickly rebuilt her advantage.
At the halfway stage, she had hit 19 of 20 targets. That gave her a two-hit lead over her closest rivals.
Neeru then maintained her concentration through the closing stages. With only five shots remaining, she had moved firmly into control of the gold-medal contest.
She completed the final with 28 hits and secured the Asian Games title.
From Jind to the Asian Games Podium
The gold marks another major step in the career of the shooter from Jind, Haryana.
Neeru trains at Dr KSSR in New Delhi. She also serves as a Naib Subedar with the Indian Army Marksmanship Unit.
She first represented India at the 2022 ISSF World Championship in Osijek. Since then, she has established herself as a regular contender on the international shooting circuit.
Her Asian Games success now adds another significant chapter to that progression.
Inspired by Cousin Lakshay Sheoran
Neeru’s journey into shooting also has a family connection.
She took up the sport after drawing inspiration from her cousin Lakshay Sheoran. He won silver in men’s trap at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta.
Seven years later, Neeru has gone one step further by winning Asian Games gold.
A Major Moment for Indian Trap Shooting
India has traditionally achieved stronger results in rifle and pistol events than in shotgun disciplines.
Neeru’s victory therefore marks a significant moment for Indian trap shooting. It also represents the latest achievement in a year that has transformed her international standing.
Earlier in these Games, she helped India win team silver. She then returned to the range for the individual event and produced her biggest performance yet.
This time, Neeru was not chasing the field. She became the shooter everyone else had to catch. (Edited by Enewstime Desk)