Neeru Dhanda secures historic individual gold in women's trap shooting at 2026 Asian Games

Neeru Dhanda secured a historic victory for India at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on September 29, 2026. Competing in the women’s trap individual final, she hit 28 out of 30 targets to claim the gold medal, becoming the first Indian woman to win an individual title in this discipline at the Games. The win helped lift India to 11th place in the overall standings. By the end of the day’s events, the national tally had reached 48 medals: five gold, 21 silver, and 22 bronze.

Rain throughout the series tested the athletes' focus, but Dhanda remained steady, missing only two shots to establish a clear lead over her competitors. Her performance in the final followed a strong qualification round which she finished at the top of the field. Trap shooting requires striking moving clay targets launched from underground bunkers, and Dhanda’s precision under these conditions marked India’s fifth gold of the Games. This follows earlier successes in sports such as cricket, kabaddi, and air pistol events.

Earlier that day, Dhanda joined Aashima Ahlawat and Manisha Keer to take silver in the women’s team trap event. The Indian team finished with a combined score of 328 points, behind China’s 346 and ahead of Kuwait, who took bronze with 325. Dhanda led the group with 118 points out of a possible 125 during the qualification phase, while Ahlawat and Keer added 106 and 104 points, respectively. This team success highlighted the depth of the shooting program and set the stage for Dhanda's later individual performance.

India also found success in other venues. Narender earned a bronze medal in the men’s +90kg boxing category after reaching the semifinals. He lost a unanimous decision to Aibek Oralbay of Kazakhstan, though he finished the bout strongly by increasing his attack in the final round. His medal contributed to India’s total of 22 bronze. In the wider standings, China leads with 135 gold medals, followed by Japan with 42 and South Korea with 22. India’s move to 11th place reflects steady results across several disciplines, from martial arts to shooting.

These Games have seen India win gold in men’s and women’s kabaddi, women’s cricket, and the mixed team 10m air pistol. Silver medals in weightlifting, wushu, and athletics relays further round out the national performance. As the competition continues, the focus remains on sustaining this momentum in international play. Dhanda’s individual gold stands as a notable moment for the shooting team, establishing a new benchmark in the trap discipline and strengthening the country's position in continental sports.