Neeru Dhanda has scripted a historic chapter for Indian shooting by becoming the first Indian woman to win an individual Asian Games gold medal in the women’s trap event. Her remarkable performance also helped India secure a silver medal in the women’s trap team competition, underlining the country’s growing strength in shooting.
The 26-year-old shooter from Haryana produced a composed performance in the final, scoring 28 points to clinch the gold medal. Her tally surpassed the previous Asian record of 24, making the achievement even more significant. China’s Sun Yunong won silver with 26 points, while Kuwait’s Abdulmalik Hajar took bronze with 21.
Neeru’s victory is particularly noteworthy because no Indian woman trap shooter had previously won an individual medal at the Asian Games. Her success therefore represents not just a personal milestone but a breakthrough moment for Indian women’s shooting.
The gold also adds to an impressive year for Neeru. In July, she became the first Indian woman to win a World Cup trap gold medal, establishing herself as one of the country’s leading shooters in the discipline.
Her Asian Games campaign had already shown signs of promise when she finished joint-top in qualification with Qatar’s Ray Bassil on 118 points, setting a Games qualification record.
Neeru’s triumph also connects her to India’s history in Asian Games trap shooting. Randhir Singh won the men’s individual trap gold in 1978, while Ronjan Sodhi secured the men’s double trap gold in 2010.
Neeru’s historic gold, alongside India’s team silver, highlights the progress of Indian women in shooting and provides another significant milestone for the country at the Asian Games.