Neeru Dhanda scripts history with India’s first individual gold in Asian Games 2026

India's Neeru Dhanda (PTI Photo)

Neeru Dhanda scripted history on Tuesday by becoming the first Indian shooter to win an Asian Games gold medal in the women’s trap individual event, smashing the continental record in the process.The 26-year-old from Haryana produced a score of 28 in the eight-shooter final to surpass the previous Asian record of 24 and claim the gold medal.

Asian Games Full Coverage | Schedule | Medal TallyNeeru’s triumph came after she had helped India secure silver in the women’s trap team event earlier in the competition. Her latest achievement is even more significant as no Indian woman trap or skeet shooter had previously won an individual medal at the Asian Games.Randhir Singh had won India’s historic individual gold in the men’s individual trap event at the 1978 Games, while Ronjan Sodhi claimed the men’s double trap individual gold at the 2010 edition.Neeru had entered the final as one of the joint leaders after topping qualification alongside Qatar’s Ray Bassil with 118 points. The score was also a Games record for qualification.The Haryana shooter has been in exceptional form this year. In July, she became the first Indian woman to win a World Cup gold medal in the trap event at the Shotgun World Cup in Italy.

Earlier in the Asian Games, Neeru, Aashima Ahlawat and Manisha Keer combined for 328 to win silver in the women’s trap team event.

China took gold with 346, while Kuwait secured bronze with 325.The Chinese team comprised Liu Shanshan, Sun Yunong and Zhu Jingyu, while Kuwait were represented by Alhawal Shahad, Abdulmalik Hajar and Alhawal Sarah.Aashima and Manisha could not make the individual final, finishing 16th and 23rd respectively in qualification after scoring 106 and 104.