Neeru Dhanda Wins Double Asian Games Trap Gold for India

Neeru Dhanda won back-to-back Asian Games gold medals in trap shooting, following her historic women’s trap victory with mixed team gold alongside Kynan Chenai. The 27-year-old also collected a women’s team silver with Manisha Keer and Aashima Ahlawat, making her one of India’s standout performers at the competition.

Dhanda’s individual title was India’s first women’s trap gold at the Asian Games. A reminder written on her palm — “Aabki baar gaanth bandh rakhi hai… 102% (gold)” — had reflected her determination before the event, and she delivered despite a draining schedule, cold rain and concerns over her physical condition.

Fatigue and rain could not halt Dhanda’s campaign

Dhanda had spent close to three hours shooting in cold, incessant rain during the individual competition before returning for mixed team qualification the next day. She said the sequence of events took a physical toll, but that repeated competition over several days had taught her to keep pushing through the challenge.

“We shoot continuously for five or six days, so the body and mind gradually get better by repeating the process again and again,” Dhanda said. “Today was the same challenge. I was tired, but I had to push myself, and I kept pushing.”

The difficult conditions came after an H1N1 scare in India that had left Dhanda hospitalised for three days. She said the cold weather left her body stiff after she had worn wet clothes for two to three hours during the individual event. Even so, she focused on maintaining her process when targets were hit and missed rather than allowing the changing moments to affect her rhythm.

In the mixed team qualification, Dhanda recorded 63 hits from 75 while Chenai struck 73, giving India a combined score of 136. The pair reached the final in fourth place, with a two-hour interval offering Dhanda a chance to recover before the medal contest.

Recovery before a record-setting final

Dhanda said physiotherapist Ashwani helped her recover before each round, while coaches assisted with her diet and preparations. She also used the break to take a power nap, saying she needed to restore her focus. Chenai, whom she referred to as “Kynan bhaiya”, encouraged her to keep pushing and remain stable.

India’s response in the final was decisive. Dhanda missed three of her first five shots but then hit 13 consecutive targets. Chenai missed just once and struck his next 19 targets. Their consistency gave the Indian pair a three-shot advantage over Qatar before they secured gold with 34 hits from 40, an Asian and Games record.

The mixed team success came a day after Dhanda’s women’s trap gold and added to the team silver she won with Keer and Ahlawat. Her three-medal return arrived at a time when India’s shooting contingent had faced pressure after earlier medal opportunities had not turned into gold.

Three medals and an eye on future challenges

Dhanda said the squad sought motivation from fellow shooters rather than dwelling on missed opportunities. She said competitors must support teammates and push themselves to bring the Indian flag up, even when others have endured difficult days.

For Dhanda, the demanding Asian Games programme also offered preparation for larger targets. She said competing through fatigue and adverse conditions would help make the team stronger for the Olympics.

Her three-medal haul has placed her in contention to be India’s flag-bearer at the closing ceremony, an honour she said would be great if it came her way. Dhanda was scheduled to return to India on Thursday morning, where her mother had prepared choorma, one of her favourite sweets, to mark a campaign defined by resolve and two gold-medal finishes.