Neeru Dhanda had a historic day at the Asian Games 2026 on September 29.
She first helped India win silver in the women’s trap team event.
She then won individual gold with a new Asian record score of 28 out of 30.
It is the first Asian Games gold for an Indian woman in any shotgun event.
India’s overall medal tally at the Games rose to 48.
India’s shooting programme has produced multiple medals across rifle, pistol and shotgun events at these Games.
Trap shooting involves hitting clay targets launched from a single trap house at varying angles and speeds.
India has separately won medals across other sports at these Games, including cricket, hockey, squash and javelin.
Neeru Dhanda’s gold adds to a broader rise in India’s shotgun shooting results in recent years.
Trap shooting finals are typically contested among the top qualifiers from an earlier qualification round.
India’s shooting federation has invested in coaching and international exposure for shotgun athletes in recent years.
The Aichi Prefectural General Shooting Gallery has hosted multiple shooting events during these Asian Games.
Team events in shotgun shooting combine the scores of three athletes from each country.
China has traditionally been one of the strongest nations in Asian shotgun shooting competitions.
Neeru Dhanda won gold in the women’s trap event at the Asian Games 2026 on September 29.
She hit 28 of 30 targets in the final at the Aichi Prefectural General Shooting Gallery.
Her score of 28 bettered the previous Asian record of 24.
Dhanda finished two clear of China’s Sun Yunong.
She is the first Indian woman to win an Asian Games gold medal in any shotgun event.
The win came hours after Dhanda had helped India win silver in the women’s trap team event.
Dhanda is 26 years old.
India’s medal tally at the Asian Games rose to 48 following her win, including five gold, 21 silver and 22 bronze medals.
Trap shooting (representative image), Wikimedia Commons, public domain
