NEW DELHI: India witnessed a historic moment at the Asian Games 2026 on September 29, as Haryana shooter Neeru Dhanda became the first Indian woman to win an individual medal in trap or skeet shooting at the continental Games and she did it in record-breaking fashion.
The 26-year-old shooter clinched gold in the women’s individual trap event, producing a stunning score of 28 in the eight-shooter final. Her performance surpassed the previous Asian Games record of 24, underlining the dominance of her performance on the biggest stage.
Dhanda’s triumph also makes her the first Indian shooter to win an Asian Games gold in the women’s individual trap event.
First Individual Gold Medalist for India at Asian Games 2026! 🇮🇳
– Neeru Dhanda wins the GOLD!!!!!!! 🥇 pic.twitter.com/jk1HjLduPg
— The Khel India (@TheKhelIndia) September 29, 2026
From team silver to individual gold
Dhanda had already contributed to India’s medal tally earlier in the competition, joining Aashima Ahlawat and Manisha Keer to win silver in the women’s trap team event. The Indian trio registered a combined score of 328. China won gold with 346, while Kuwait took bronze with 325.
Dhanda, however, went one step further in the individual event, converting her strong team performance into a historic individual gold. Aashima and Manisha were unable to qualify for the individual final, finishing 16th and 23rd respectively after scores of 106 and 104 in qualification.
Record-breaking run from qualification to final
Dhanda entered the individual final as one of the joint leaders after topping qualification alongside Qatar’s Ray Bassil with 118 points. That qualification score itself was a Games record, setting the tone for what would become a landmark performance in the final.
With 28 in the final, Dhanda comfortably eclipsed the previous Asian record of 24 to secure the top spot.
A breakthrough for Indian women in shooting
Dhanda’s gold carries additional significance for Indian shooting. Before her triumph, no Indian woman had won an individual medal in trap or skeet at the Asian Games. Her achievement therefore marks a new chapter for Indian women in shotgun shooting.
India’s previous individual Asian Games gold medallists in trap-related events were men. Randhir Singh won the men’s individual trap gold at the 1978 Asian Games, while Ronjan Sodhi claimed gold in men’s double trap at the 2010 edition.
Dhanda has now joined that elite list while becoming the first Indian woman to achieve the feat.
Another major milestone in a remarkable year
The Asian Games gold caps a breakthrough year for Dhanda. In July, she became the first Indian woman to win a World Cup gold in trap, triumphing at the Shotgun World Cup in Italy.
Her Asian Games campaign has now added another major milestone, with Dhanda following her team silver with an individual gold and setting records along the way.
