Nagoya, Japan. Indian shooter Neeru Dhanda delivered a magical performance at the Asian Games 2026, winning the gold medal in women’s trap shooting. With this victory, Neeru became the first Indian woman to win a gold medal in this event at the Asian Games.
From Illness Straight to the Shooting Range
Neeru’s achievement is especially remarkable because she was admitted to a hospital in Delhi until around 10 days ago. She had a severe flu and, during her illness, was unable to properly eat or drink for several days. Her condition was such that she was not even in a position to lift a gun for four days. Despite this, she recovered quickly and made a comeback at the Asian Games, directly aiming for gold.
Coach’s Advice Came in Handy
After her victory, Neeru also mentioned the role played by her coach, Mansher Singh. She said that her coach advised her to leave behind the illness and previous difficulties and focus only on her target. According to Neeru, she followed her coach’s advice and remained completely focused on her performance during the competition.
India’s 5th Gold
Neeru’s gold is India’s fifth gold medal at the Asian Games 2026. It is India’s second gold in shooting. Earlier, Indian shooters had won gold in the mixed pistol event. With this gold in trap shooting, India’s medal tally in shooting has also increased. The Indian team has so far won a total of 47 medals, including 5 gold, 8 silver and 4 bronze, with 14 medals coming from shooting.
India 11th in the Medal Table
Despite the increase in the number of medals, India has not yet secured a place in the top 10 of the Asian Games medal table. After Neeru’s historic gold, the Indian contingent is currently in 11th place.