Neeru Dhanda Wins Women’s Trap Gold, Gives India Fifth Gold at Asian Games 2026

Indian shooter Neeru Dhanda produced a historic performance on Tuesday to win the gold medal in the women’s individual trap event at the 2026 Asian Games, taking India’s gold-medal tally to five.
Dhanda, who had earlier helped India secure silver in the women’s trap team event, delivered a strong performance in the individual final. She finished with a score of 28, missing only two targets, and also broke the previous Asian Games record of 24.
The Haryana shooter became the first Indian woman to win an Asian Games gold medal in the individual women’s trap event. Her achievement also marked another major milestone in a breakthrough year for Indian shooting.
Dhanda maintained her composure throughout the final and produced a decisive performance in the closing stages to secure the top position. China’s Sun Yunong finished second with 26, while Kuwait’s Hajar Abdulmalik claimed the bronze medal with 21.
The gold comes shortly after Dhanda’s historic ISSF World Cup triumph in Lonato, Italy, where she became the first Indian woman to win an individual World Cup gold in the trap event. She had also previously won the Asian Championship title.
Earlier on Tuesday, Dhanda, Aashima Ahlawat and Manisha Keer won the silver medal in the women’s trap team event. The Indian trio recorded a combined score of 328, finishing behind China, while Kuwait took bronze.
Dhanda was India’s leading performer in the team competition and then followed that performance with an individual gold, adding another major achievement to her growing international record.
Her success has also been linked to her family’s shooting background. Dhanda was inspired to take up the sport by her cousin Lakshay Sheoran, who won a silver medal in the men’s trap event at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta.
With her victory in Aichi-Nagoya, Dhanda has now added an Asian Games gold to her World Cup and Asian Championship achievements, while India’s overall medal tally reached 47, including five gold, 21 silver and 21 bronze medals.