From being inspired by her cousin Lakhsay Sheron’s Asian Games medal to winning one herself, Neeru Dhanda has completed a remarkable journey – and in the process, created a piece of history for Indian shooting.The 26-year-old Indian shooter produced a stunning 28/30 in the women’s trap final to clinch gold at the Asian Games on Tuesday. China’s Sun Yunong finished second with 26, while Kuwait’s Hajar Abdulmalik took bronze with 21.Dhanda’s 28 also shattered the previous Asian record of 24. The Indian had already announced her intent by topping qualification with 118 hits out of 125, and she carried that form into the six-shooter final to produce the biggest result of her career in the process delivering India its first individual gold medal of the 2026 Games and taking the country’s tally to five gold medals and 47 overall.Earlier in the day, Dhanda had already played a central role in India’s women’s trap team silver, joining Aashima Ahlawat and Manisha Keer to finish second behind China.For Dhanda, the triumph comes just months after she broke new ground at the ISSF World Cup in Lonato, Italy. In July, she became the first Indian woman to win an individual gold medal in trap at an ISSF World Cup.
Asian Games Full Coverage|Medal Tally|ScheduleThe Asian Games gold now gives that World Cup success a continental dimension. Dhanda had arrived in Aichi-Nagoya as the reigning Asian champion, having won gold at the 2025 Asian Shooting Championships. She also had a mixed-team bronze from the ISSF World Cup in Almaty earlier this year.
From tin cans to the Indian Army and World Cup glory
Dhanda was inspired to take up shooting after watching her maternal cousin Lakshay Sheoran win a silver medal in men’s trap at the 2018 Asian Games. Sheoran also lent her his gun when she was beginning her journey in the sport. Years later, Dhanda has followed him to the Asian Games podium, but has gone one better by winning gold.The rise has been backed by the Indian Army, where Dhanda serves as a Naib Subedar in the Corps of Military Police. She trains at the Army Marksmanship Unit in Mhow and works with foreign coach Peter Wilson, the London 2012 Olympic trap champion. She is also part of the Target Olympic Podium Scheme’s Development Group.
