Neeru Dhanda Asian Games 2026: From Tin Cans to Historic Trap Gold
Neeru Dhanda Asian Games 2026: A Historic Shooting Triumph
The Neeru Dhanda Asian Games 2026 story reached a historic high on Tuesday as the 26-year-old Indian shooter won gold in the women’s individual trap event in Aichi-Nagoya. Dhanda produced 28 hits out of 30 in the eight-shooter final, breaking the previous Asian Games record of 24 and finishing ahead of China’s Sun Yunong, who scored 26. Kuwait’s Hajar Abdulmalik took bronze with 21.
The victory made Dhanda the first Indian woman to win an individual Asian Games medal in trap or skeet shooting, and the first Indian woman to win Asian Games gold in the individual trap event. Her achievement also ended a 48-year gap for India in individual trap gold at the Games, following Randhir Singh’s men’s trap title in 1978.
Neeru Dhanda Asian Games 2026: Gold After Team Silver
Dhanda’s individual triumph came only hours after she had already helped India win silver in the women’s trap team event alongside Aashima Ahlawat and Manisha Keer.
The Indian trio combined for 328 points, finishing behind China’s 346 and ahead of Kuwait’s 325. Dhanda contributed 118 hits out of 125, while Aashima scored 106 and Manisha 104. Dhanda’s qualification score also matched the top mark in the individual standings and was recorded as a Games record.
Aashima and Manisha did not make the individual final, finishing 16th and 23rd respectively. Dhanda, however, carried her excellent qualification form into the final and delivered the biggest performance of her Asian Games career.
Neeru Dhanda Asian Games 2026 Journey Began With Family Inspiration
Dhanda’s journey to the top of Asian shooting has a strong family connection. The shooter from Jind, Haryana, was inspired by her maternal cousin Lakshay Sheoran, who won silver in men’s trap at the 2018 Asian Games. According to MyKhel, Sheoran also helped her in her early days and even lent her his gun.
Before formal training, Dhanda practised shooting at tin cans using her family’s double-barrel gun. She later joined the Madhya Pradesh State Shooting Academy and gradually developed into one of India’s leading shotgun shooters.
Today, Dhanda serves as a Naib Subedar in the Indian Army’s Corps of Military Police and trains at the Army Marksmanship Unit in Mhow. She has also received support through the TOPS Development Group and Khelo India programme.
Neeru Dhanda Asian Games 2026 Gold Caps a Breakthrough Year
The Asian Games title is the latest chapter in a remarkable 2026 season for Dhanda. Earlier this year, she became the first Indian woman to win an individual ISSF World Cup gold in trap, triumphing at Lonato, Italy.
At that event, she set a national qualification record of 121/125 before scoring 27/30 in the final. She had also won gold at the 2025 Asian Shooting Championships and a mixed-team bronze at the ISSF World Cup in Almaty alongside Vivaan Kapoor.
Her Asian Games performance now adds an even bigger milestone: a continental title, an Asian Games record and a place in Indian shooting history.
“That’s what’s incredible. Ten days ago she was in hospital for three days. She was really, really sick and it was touch and go whether she would come,” India trap coach Peter Wilson said after her triumph.
