Neeru Dhanda, Kynan Chenai Stage Stunning Comeback to Win Asian Games Trap Mixed Team Gold

India’s pair overcome a difficult start to finish with 34 hits, breaking Qatar’s Asian record and giving Neeru her second gold in Nagoya

Nagoya, Sept 2026 : Neeru Dhanda and Kynan Chenai produced a stunning comeback under pressure to win the gold medal in the trap mixed team event at the Asian Games 2026 on Wednesday, completing a memorable double for Neeru in Nagoya.

The Indian pair finished with 34 hits, breaking the Asian record of 33 set by Qatar in Doha earlier in 2026. Qatar took the silver medal with 32 hits, while China claimed bronze with 23. Iran finished fourth.

The victory gave Neeru her second gold medal at the ongoing Games after she won the women’s trap individual event on Tuesday. She also has a silver medal from the women’s trap team event, taking her overall medal tally in Aichi-Nagoya to three.

The gold was India’s third in shooting at the Games. India were eighth in the overall medal standings with nine gold, 21 silver and 27 bronze medals for a total of 57.

However, the mixed team final began in difficult fashion for Neeru and Kynan. The Indian duo managed only six hits from their opening 10 shots, leaving them at the bottom of the four-team standings. Qatar led with seven, while China and Iran also had six.

The Indians then produced a remarkable turnaround.

Finding their rhythm in the second series, Neeru and Kynan did not miss a single target thereafter. Their flawless shooting took their tally to 16 hits after 20 shots, putting them level with Qatar and moving them into medal contention.

Iran were eliminated at that stage with 12 hits.

The final was briefly interrupted when a technical problem affected the trap machinery at Station 1. Once the competition resumed, the Indian pair maintained their composure and continued their remarkable run.

Another clean series kept India firmly in contention before an outstanding final phase transformed the medal race. Neeru and Kynan continued hitting every target, reaching 26 hits from 30 shots.

China, which had made a strong start, was eliminated after the 30-shot stage with 23 hits. Qatar remained India’s closest challenger with 24, setting up a direct battle for the gold medal.

The Indian duo held their nerve in the decisive phase and completed the final with 34 hits. Their score not only secured the title but also surpassed Qatar’s previous Asian record of 33.

For Neeru, the triumph capped an extraordinary two-day spell. After winning the individual trap gold on Tuesday, she returned to competition less than 24 hours later and teamed up with Kynan to secure another gold medal.

Kynan also added a mixed team title to India’s growing shooting medal haul at the Games.

The result was particularly impressive given India’s early struggles. From six hits and last place after the opening series, Neeru and Kynan remained composed, found their rhythm and produced an unbroken sequence of successful shots to finish at the top of the field.