Neeru Dhanda creates history with Asian Games trap gold, sets Asian record

Indian shooter Neeru Dhanda created history at the 2026 Asian Games on Tuesday, winning the women's trap individual gold medal with an Asian record at the Aichi Pref. General Shooting Gallery.

Dhanda, who topped the qualification round with a score of 118, produced a record-breaking 28-hit performance in the final to become the first Indian woman to win an Asian Games gold in the trap event.

Her victory also made her the first Indian athlete to win an individual trap medal at the Asian Games.

The gold came on a memorable day for Dhanda, who had earlier secured a silver medal in the women's trap team event alongside Aashima Ahlawat and Manisha Keer. The Indian trio finished with a combined score of 328 after the 125-shot qualification round, holding off Kuwait for the silver medal.

Dhanda began the individual final strongly but missed her ninth shot, briefly dropping to third place. She quickly recovered, however, producing perfect scores in the third and fourth series to regain the lead with 19 hits from 20 shots.

She maintained her advantage in the fifth series despite one missed shot before sealing the gold with five consecutive hits in the final series.

China's Yunong Sun took silver with 26 hits, while Kuwait claimed bronze with 21.

The triumph marked India's second shooting gold at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games and its fifth gold medal overall at the continental event.

Dhanda has enjoyed a breakthrough year on the international circuit. Earlier in 2026, she became the first Indian woman to win an individual ISSF World Cup gold in women's trap at the Shotgun World Cup in Lonato, Italy.

She also won bronze in the trap mixed team event at the ISSF World Cup in Almaty, Kazakhstan, further strengthening her credentials on the international stage.