Hospitalised 10 days before, Neeru Dhanda shoots her way to historic gold

Neeru Dhanda scripted history on Tuesday by becoming the first Indian woman to win an individual Asian Games gold medal in trap shooting. Her record-breaking triumph in Nagoya came barely 10 days after a serious illness had left the 26-year-old hospitalised and uncertain about whether she would be able to compete.

Dhanda spoke about the difficult build-up after her victory, crediting personal coach Mansher Singh for helping her put the health scare behind her and focus on the target. She also dedicated the medal to Indian Army soldiers and late Raja Randhir Singh, who won India’s first Asian Games trap gold in 1978.

“Mansher sir only told me to forget what has happened and focus on the target, which I did,” Neeru said.

“I dedicate this medal to the soldiers of the Indian Army who do a much bigger task defending the nation and to Late Raja Randhir Singh, who won India's first trap gold in the Asian Games back in 1978,” she said.Neeru Dhanda scripts a monumental chapter in Indian sports, becoming the FIRST Indian woman ever to win the GOLD medal in the Women’s Trap individual event at the Asian Games!Watch the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya LIVE on Sony Sports Network TV channels & Sony LIV. pic.twitter.com/0wCN7xHiQu— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) September 29, 2026

Barely 10 days before the competition, Dhanda was hospitalised in Bhopal after a severe bout of flu, with H1N1 suspected, and was unable to eat for five days. Her participation and form were uncertain, but the Jind-born shooter returned to training and produced a composed qualification campaign, finishing joint-top with Qatar’s Ray Bassil at 118, a Games record.

Dhanda began the qualification strongly, finishing the opening four rounds with 95 out of 100 to take the outright lead. Despite worsening weather in the fifth round, she held her nerve and shot 23 to finish on 118, securing her place in the eight-shooter final.

She carried that composure into the final, producing 28 hits to break the previous Asian record of 24. China’s Sun Yunong took silver with 26, while Kuwait’s Abdulmalik Hajar won bronze with 21.

The gold capped a breakthrough year for Dhanda. In July, she became the first Indian woman to win an individual ISSF World Cup gold in trap, adding another major milestone to a season that has now taken her to the top of the Asian Games podium.WHY DID RAJA RANDHIR SINGH MATTER?

Dhanda’s tribute to Randhir carried a particular significance. His gold in the men’s individual trap at the 1978 Asian Games was India’s first in the event, while Dhanda has now become the first Indian woman to win an individual Asian Games medal in trap.

Her own entry into the sport also came through a family connection. Her cousin Lakshay Sheoran, who won trap silver at the 2018 Asian Games, encouraged her to take up shooting, with his own gun helping her get started before she moved to the Madhya Pradesh Shooting Academy in Bhopal.

Dhanda had already contributed to India’s medal haul in Nagoya by helping the women’s trap team of Aashima Ahlawat and Manisha Keer win silver. The Indian trio finished second behind China, while India’s men’s trap team finished sixth.

The men’s trap team of Shapath Bharadwaj, Kynan Chenai and Ahvar Rizvi finished sixth. Bharadwaj made the individual final after winning a shoot-off for the eighth qualification spot but finished eighth. India’s second shooting gold at these Games had earlier come through Suruchi Singh and Kamaljeet in the mixed team 10m air pistol event.- Ends