Neeru Dhanda Wins Trap Shooting Gold — Asian Games 2026

Neeru Dhanda Wins Trap Shooting Gold — Asian Games 2026
Why in News?
Neeru Dhanda won the women’s individual trap gold at the 2026 Asian Games, ending India’s 48-year wait for a trap shooting gold.
Historic Gold
Neeru Dhanda became the first Indian woman to win an Asian Games gold in trap shooting. She also became only the second Indian to win an individual trap gold at the Asian Games, after Randhir Singh.
Asian Record
Dhanda scored 118 out of 125 in the qualification rounds and then won a tense shoot-off against Qatar’s Ray Bassil. She eventually scored an Asian record 28 points out of a maximum 30 in the final to claim gold.
Three-Day Competition
Dhanda led from the beginning of the competition. She scored 48 on the first day and 47 on the second day, taking her two-day total to 95. She went on to finish with 118 out of 125 before the final.
Indian Team
The other Indian competitors, Manisha Keer and Ashima Ahlawat, scored 104 and 106 respectively. Together, the three Indians secured team silver for the second consecutive time in the event.
Shooting Basics
Shooting involves aiming firearms at designated targets for accuracy. Rifle and pistol shooting involve aiming at stationary targets, while clay shooting involves firing shotguns at clay discs launched into the air.
Recent Milestone
A few months before the Asian Games, Dhanda had become the first Indian woman to win a trap World Cup gold.