Neeru Dhanda shoots to glory, wins historic gold at Asian Games women’s individual trap event

Indian shooter Neeru Dhanda officially made history after winning gold at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, helping India clinch its fifth gold medal at the continental showpiece.

Hailing from Haryana, 26-year-old Neeru is coming off a commanding performance at the ISSF World Cup Shotgun 2026 in Lonato, Italy, where she delivered a composed performance to capture the Trap Women’s title.

The victory was Neeru’s biggest win of her international career, and she has now added a new gold to her kitty.

Neeru clinches historic gold at Asian Games 2026

Neeru clinched the top podium spot with a score of 28, shattering the Asian record. The 26-year-old Indian shooter became the first-ever Indian shooter to win an individual gold in the women’s trap at the Asian Games.

She is also the first Indian individual gold medallist at the ongoing games. Neeru had earlier helped India win a silver in the women’s trap team event alongside Aashima Ahlawat and Manisha Keer.

Meanwhile, China’s Yunong Sun secured silver with 26, and Kuwait’s Hajar Abdulmalik clinched bronze with 21.

Neeru takes command from the outset

Making her Asian Games debut in Aichi-Nagoya, Neeru qualified for the women’s individual final after finishing as joint-leaders alongside Ray Bassil of Qatar after scoring 118, an Asian Games qualification record.

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In the women’s individual trap final, Neeru secured a commanding start, hitting all five targets in the opening series. While she missed once in the second series, Neeru recovered well, delivering a smashing run in the event’s latter stages.

Neeru held her nerve in the event’s decisive stages to clinch a gold medal in the summit clash.

Neeru, a shooter with the Indian Army Marksmanship Unit and serving as Naib Subedar, had earlier clinched her maiden World Cup gold and the Asian Championship title, with the Asian Games gold crowning a sensational year.