Indian shooter Neeru Dhanda, a Naib Subedar in the Indian Army, created history by winning India’s first women’s gold medal in trap shooting at the Asian Games 2026.
Neeru, inspired years ago by her cousin Lakshya Sheoran’s silver medal in Palembang (2018), went one better in Aichi, changing the colour of the medal and etching her name in Indian sporting history. Her victory also makes her only the second Indian ever to win gold in trap shooting.
Speaking after her triumph, Neeru dedicated the medal to the Indian armed forces and veteran sports administrator Randhir Singh, acknowledging their role in her journey. “It wasn’t easy winning gold, but I made it easy so juniors training now will get the confidence and think — if she can do it, anyone can do it,” she said.
Her achievement is being hailed as a breakthrough moment for Indian shooting, especially in shotgun disciplines where women have rarely reached the podium. Neeru’s success is expected to inspire a new generation of shooters across the country.
