Did Neeru Dhanda Make History by Reaching Her First World Cup Final?
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Synopsis
Neeru Dhanda's historic achievement at the ISSF World Cup in Lonato, Italy, marked her first final appearance, where she finished fourth in women's trap shooting. With impressive performances and a tie against seasoned competitors, Neeru's journey inspires future athletes. What does this mean for India's shooting sports scene?
Key Takeaways
- Neeru Dhanda reached her first World Cup final.
- Secured fourth place in women's trap shooting.
- Achieved a total of 115 targets in qualifying rounds.
- Competed against seasoned shooters like Alessia Iezzi and Lada Denisova.
- Upcoming mixed team event featuring two Indian pairs.
New Delhi, July 12 (NationPress) Neeru Dhanda, the National Games champion, has made a remarkable achievement by reaching her first-ever World Cup final, ultimately securing a commendable fourth place in the women’s trap event. This took place on the second-to-last day of the fourth and final International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup Shotgun stage, currently being held in Lonato, Italy. Neeru managed to hit 30 out of her initial 35 targets in the 50-shot final.
Neeru clinched the sixth and final qualifying spot by winning a shoot-off (2-1) against last year’s New Delhi World Cup Final champion Alessia Iezzi from Italy. However, she was eliminated due to a higher bib number, despite tying with bronze medalist Lada Denisova from the Neutral Athletes (AIN) and Silvana Maria Stanco, the silver medalist from the Paris Olympics, during that elimination stage. Australia’s Laetisha Scanlan took home the gold medal with 45 hits.
Earlier on Saturday at the prestigious Trap Concaverde range, Neeru recorded rounds of 25 and 24, adding to her overnight score of 66 (21, 23, 22), bringing her total to 115, which matched Iezzi’s score.
Preeti Rajak also made a commendable recovery with rounds of 23 and 25, adding to her 66 (20, 24, 22), but fell just short to finish in eighth place with a total of 114. Meanwhile, Pragati Dubey ended up further back with a total of exactly 100.
In the men’s trap event, veteran Zoravar Singh Sandhu had a total of 121 after dropping one bird in his last two qualifying rounds, placing him in a five-way shoot-off with at least two former Olympic champions for the final two slots. Unfortunately, he was the first to exit the shoot-off, missing his second shot, as reported by the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI).
His teammates, Lakshay Sheoran and Jaswinder Singh, each finished with a score of 116, placing them further down the leaderboard.
On Sunday, two Indian pairs will compete in the Trap Mixed team Olympic event on the final day of the competitions.
Point of View
I believe Neeru Dhanda's remarkable performance at the ISSF World Cup is a testament to India's growing prowess in shooting sports. Her journey symbolizes not just personal achievement but also the potential for future success in international competitions. National support and focus on developing such talents will be crucial as we aim for excellence on the world stage.
NationPress
14/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Neeru Dhanda's final position in the World Cup?
Neeru Dhanda finished fourth in the women's trap event at her first World Cup final.
Where is the ISSF World Cup Shotgun stage being held?
The ISSF World Cup Shotgun stage is currently taking place in Lonato, Italy.
How did Neeru secure her spot in the final?
Neeru secured her spot in the final by winning a shoot-off against Alessia Iezzi, the previous year's champion.
Who won the gold medal in the women's trap event?
Laetisha Scanlan from Australia won the gold medal with 45 hits.
What are the upcoming events for Indian shooters?
Two Indian pairs will compete in the Trap Mixed team Olympic event on the final day of the competitions.
