You are connecting from Lake Geneva Public Library, please login or register to take advantage of your institution's Ground News Plan.
Published 14 hours ago • loading... • Updated 10 hours ago
Asian Games 2026 : Neeru Dhanda wins India's first individual gold in Shooting
Dhanda scored 28 of 30 targets to set an Asian Games record and become the first Indian woman to win individual trap gold.
On Tuesday, Neeru Dhanda became the first Indian woman to win individual trap gold at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, scoring 28 to secure India's fifth gold medal of the Games.
Only 10 days before competing, Dhanda was hospitalized with suspected H1N1, missing nearly four weeks of training; coach Peter Wilson, India's trap shooting coach, provided daily calls to maintain her mental focus.
Delivering a commanding performance despite rainy, cold conditions at the Urenocho range, Dhanda hit 28 of 30 targets, shattering the previous Asian record of 24 and securing a two-medal day after the team silver.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Dhanda for her historic achievement, which ended India's 48-year drought for individual trap gold last claimed by Randhir Singh in 1978; Dhanda dedicated the medal to soldiers guarding India's borders.
This triumph positions Dhanda as a pioneer for Indian shotgun shooting, with the athlete hoping her success inspires future juniors, stating, "If Neeru can do it, then we can do it.