Shooting / Meet Neeru Dhanda Who Shoots Gold and Creates Asian Games History in Women’s Trap for India

Nagoya, Sep 29: Neeru Dhanda’s golden moment at the Asian Games was not just about hitting clay targets — it was about shattering barriers.

On a crisp Tuesday in Aichi–Nagoya, the 26‑year‑old shooter from Haryana rewrote Indian sporting history, becoming the nation’s first woman to claim an Asian Games medal in individual trap.

With nerves of steel and unmatched precision, she turned the range into her stage, delivering a performance that elevated both her career and the profile of Indian shotgun shooting.

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Neeru delivered a commanding performance in the women’s trap final, striking 28 targets to clinch gold and set a new Asian record. China’s Sun Yunong finished with 26 for silver, while Kuwait’s Hajar Abdulmalik took bronze on 21.

“Her final was a lesson in recovering from setbacks without allowing them to grow,” observers noted, as Neeru calmly regrouped after an early miss and surged ahead with two flawless series.

At the halfway mark, she had hit 19 of 20 targets, opening a two‑point cushion over her rivals. By the time the last five shots arrived, the gold was firmly within her grasp. Neeru held her composure to finish on 28, sealing a victory that was under her control for most of the contest.

Her triumph adds another milestone to a breakthrough year. Earlier, Neeru became the first Indian woman to win an individual World Cup gold in women’s trap at Lonato, Italy, and also secured a mixed‑team bronze in Almaty. She had already won team silver at these Games, but the individual crown was the one achievement that elevated her standing in international shooting.

Neeru’s journey began at Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi, where she trains as part of the Indian Army Marksmanship Unit, serving as a Naib Subedar. She first represented India at the 2022 ISSF World Championship in Osijek and has since become a regular contender on the global circuit.

Her inspiration came from family. Cousin Lakshay Sheoran had won silver in men’s trap at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta. Seven years later, Neeru went one better, proving that Indian shooters could excel in shotgun disciplines long overshadowed by rifle and pistol events.

This victory is not just a personal breakthrough but a defining moment for Indian trap shooting. For Neeru Dhanda, the road to gold was built one target at a time — and at Aichi–Nagoya, she hit them all.

(IANS)