Neeru Dhanda Makes History With Asian Games Trap Gold
A borrowed gun, a pond in Bhopal and a cousin’s encouragement laid the foundation for Neeru Dhanda’s remarkable rise in shooting. Seven years after taking her first steps in the sport, the 26-year-old made history on Tuesday by becoming the first Indian woman to win an individual shotgun gold medal at the Asian Games.
The farmer’s daughter from Jind, Haryana, clinched the women’s trap title in Nagoya with a record-breaking performance, overcoming illness, disrupted preparations and challenging weather conditions to reach the top of the podium.
Her journey from a modest background to continental glory highlights the role of family support, institutional assistance and unwavering commitment in shaping an international sporting career.
Neeru Dhanda’s Shooting Journey Began With A Borrowed Gun
Neeru’s introduction to shooting came through her cousin Lakshay Sheoran, who won a silver medal at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta.
Inspired by his achievement, she decided to try the sport despite having little prior knowledge of shooting.
“I didn’t know anything about shooting before that. My cousin Lakshay was a silver medallist in Jakarta. I was inspired by that medal,” Neeru said after her historic triumph.
She began practising in Bhopal in 2019 with a gun belonging to Lakshay’s father. At a pond, she used a tin as a makeshift target and learned to aim through trial and error.
“I would keep a target far away and try to shoot at it,” she recalled.
Lakshay’s parents later brought her to the Madhya Pradesh State Shooting Academy, where free guns, ammunition and institutional support helped her pursue the sport.
Coming from a family with limited financial resources, the assistance proved crucial. Her father is a farmer, while her mother is a homemaker, making it difficult for the family to bear the expenses associated with competitive shooting.
Illness Threatened Preparations Before Asian Games
Neeru’s path to the Asian Games gold was far from smooth.
Just 10 days before the competition, she was hospitalised after falling seriously ill. She missed an entire training camp and went five days without food, surviving only on water.
Throughout the difficult period, her coach, Mansher Singh, remained in regular contact and encouraged her to stay focused.
“I was in a very bad condition. I didn’t train during the whole camp. I didn’t eat anything for five days. I just drank water. I used to talk to my coach daily,” she said.
Neeru added that her coach reassured her that missing a few days of training would not determine the outcome of her competition.
“Hurdles don’t matter when you have full commitment in your heart. I have to win for my family, my country, the Indian Army and the MP State Shooting Academy. There are so many people behind me. When they are working so hard for me, winning is a small task,” she said.
Rain And Cold Test Neeru’s Mental Strength
The difficult conditions continued in Nagoya, where relentless rain and plunging temperatures affected her grip and concentration.
Neeru said the rain changed the familiar sensation of handling the gun, forcing her to focus on her technique and avoid distractions.
“When we train in clear weather, we also face challenges. The rain falls on our hands. We feel the sensation and our process changes,” she said.
She relied on self-talk to remain composed during the competition, reminding herself to keep looking ahead despite the conditions.
Her training had prepared her for such moments. Coach Mansher Singh deliberately introduced distractions during practice, including loud music and unexpected movements, to help her maintain concentration.
“We create such situations in training, where we have to fight distractions. We train with loud music and other distractions,” Neeru said.
Historic Gold Inspires Future Indian Shooters
Neeru’s Asian Games triumph followed a World Cup medal in Lonato, Italy, earlier this year.
Her gold ended India’s long wait for an individual women’s shotgun title at the continental event and marked a significant milestone for Indian trap shooting.
She hopes the achievement will encourage young athletes to believe that international success is within their reach.
“It was not easy, but I made it easy. Future juniors and players training for India in trap and shotgun will feel that if Neeru can do it, then we can do it,” she said.
The Army shooter also dedicated her medal to soldiers guarding the country’s borders, saying her commitment to representing the force would remain unchanged.
“There are chances of promotion, but even if there is no promotion, we still have to play for the Army. Soldiers are posted at the borders. They fight for the country and give their lives. This medal is dedicated to them,” she said.
Neeru Remembers Former Asian Games Champion
Neeru also dedicated her gold medal to former Asian Games champion Raja Ranjit Singh, who won the title in 1978 and died earlier this year.
Recalling his affection for fellow shooters, she said she wanted her victory to keep his memory alive.
“He was very nice. He used to meet us and hug us so lovingly. This year, he is no more. I dedicate this medal to him. We have brought back that memory,” she said.
Despite the significance of the final, Neeru kept her routine simple after topping qualification with a score of 95. She focused on eating well, sleeping and avoiding unnecessary pressure.
Her comfort food in Nagoya was dal and roti, which she ordered from a Bangladeshi restaurant.
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Neeru Dhanda makes history by winning India’s first individual women’s shotgun gold at the Asian Games, overcoming illness and difficult conditions in Nagoya.
