Neeru Dhanda Creates History with Asian Games Gold in Women’s Trap

 Indian shooter sets Asian record in final to become first Indian woman to win trap individual gold at the continental Games

Nagoya, Sept 2026 : Indian trap shooter Neeru Dhanda created history at the 2026 Asian Games on Tuesday, winning the gold medal in the women’s trap individual event with an Asian record score at the Aichi Pref. General Shooting Gallery.

Dhanda, who topped the qualification round with a score of 118, produced another impressive performance in the final, recording 28 hits to set an Asian record. Her victory made her the first Indian woman to win an individual trap gold medal at the Asian Games.

The achievement also marked India’s first-ever medal in the individual trap event at the Asian Games. Dhanda’s gold added to a memorable day for the Indian shooter, who had earlier won a silver medal in the women’s trap team event alongside Aashima Ahlawat and Manisha Keer.

The Indian trio recorded a combined score of 328 after three days of the 125-shot qualification competition to secure the silver medal, finishing behind the gold-medal-winning team and ahead of Kuwait.

In the individual final, Dhanda maintained her composure despite an early setback. Her first miss came on her ninth shot, briefly dropping her to third place. She responded strongly in the subsequent series, producing a flawless run in the third and fourth rounds to regain the lead.

After 20 shots, Dhanda had registered 19 hits and moved to the top of the standings. She continued to hold the lead through the fifth series despite another missed target before producing a perfect final series of five hits to seal the gold.

China’s Yunong Sun finished with 26 hits to claim the silver medal, while Kuwait’s shooter secured bronze with a score of 21.

Dhanda’s triumph was India’s second gold medal in shooting at the ongoing Asian Games and the country’s fifth gold overall at the Aichi-Nagoya continental showpiece.

The 2026 Asian Games title adds to a breakthrough year for Dhanda. Earlier this year, she became the first Indian woman to win an individual ISSF World Cup gold medal in women’s trap when she topped the event at the Shotgun World Cup in Lonato, Italy.

She also won a bronze medal in the trap mixed team event at the ISSF World Cup in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Her Asian Games gold now marks another major milestone in her rapidly growing international career and further strengthens India’s presence in women’s trap shooting.