Asian Games 2026: Neeru Dhanda wins gold, becomes first Indian to medal in women’s trap individual event
India’s Neeru Dhanda during a practice session ahead of her women's Trap shooting qualification match in the ongoing Asian Games 2026. | Photo Credit: PTI
India’s Neeru Dhanda during a practice session ahead of her women's Trap shooting qualification match in the ongoing Asian Games 2026. | Photo Credit: PTI
Neeru Dhanda became the first Indian woman to clinch gold in the women’s trap individual event at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on Tuesday.
In the past, five Indian men had won medals in trap at the Asiad, with Randhir Singh winning gold in 1978. But no Indian woman had stepped onto the podium in the event at the Games.
Neeru also shattered the Asian record with a total of 28, surpassing Chinese Taipei shooter Liu Wan-Yu’s score of 24, set earlier this year. China’s Yunong Sun won silver with 26, while Kuwait’s Hajar Abdulmalik bagged bronze with 21.
After the first 10 shots, the Indian was joint-third with Qatar’s Ray Bassil, with both missing one target. Abdulmalik and Sun topped the standings after shooting a perfect 10.
Neeru then hit all five of her next targets to move to the top of the standings, alongside Abdulmalik and Sun. The Haryana shooter continued her fine run, hitting all five targets in the following round as well to open up a two-point lead with 10 shots remaining.
The Indian then missed just once in the final 10 shots to confirm the country’s fifth gold medal of the ongoing Games.
Earlier in the competition, Neeru had topped qualification with 118 hits, while compatriots Aashima Ahlawat (106) and Manisha Keer (104) finished 16th and 23rd, respectively. The trio clinched the women’s trap team silver medal.
Earlier this year, Neeru became the first Indian woman trap shooter to win an ISSF World Cup gold medal, achieving the feat in Lonato while also setting a new National Record.
Published on Sep 29, 2026
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