Indian trap shooter Neeru Dhanda completed a historic three-medal haul at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya on Wednesday, 30 September, claiming individual gold, team silver alongside Aashima Ahlawat and Manisha Keer, and a mixed team gold partnering Kynan Chenai — all after recovering from a serious illness that had threatened to end her campaign before it began. The feat makes Neeru the first Indian woman to win an individual Asian Games gold in trap shooting.

An Illness That Nearly Ended Her Campaign

Neeru's journey to the podium nearly did not happen. Days before she arrived in Aichi-Nagoya, she was recovering from illness and her participation was in serious doubt. Rather than focusing on competition, she had to first concentrate on getting well enough to travel and shoot.

'At that time, I had to keep myself motivated. Firstly, I needed to focus on improving my health. After that, I would think about what came next,' she said. It was her coach who played a pivotal role in keeping her focused, drawing on his own experiences and reminding her that five years of consistent training could not be undone by four or five difficult days. 'So, these four or five days can't shake me,' Neeru recalled as the mantra that carried her through.

The Mixed Team Gold: Fighting Back from Fourth

The mixed team event underlined Neeru's mental fortitude. The Indian pair of Neeru and Kynan Chenai entered the medal round ranked fourth, requiring a recovery that few expected. With verbal communication prohibited during competition, the pair relied on gestures and a brief exchange during a technical interruption to stay aligned.

'When we're out there, we're unable to talk, but he constantly gestured to push me; he said I have to fight, I have to fight till the last shot,' Neeru said. The pair ultimately defeated Qatar in the gold-medal contest, completing a remarkable sequence across all three shooting formats.

What Each Medal Meant

When asked to distinguish between her three medals, Neeru drew a clear line between individual and team formats. In the individual event, she said, the ability to perform in the final is paramount. In team shooting, collective contribution — including her teammates pushing her through a difficult day — made the difference. 'The medal is for the team and for the team,' she said. Her mixed team partner Kynan, a senior on the squad, served as a steadying presence throughout.

Notably, Neeru and Kynan share a coaching lineage: Kynan was coached by Mansher 'Joey' Singh ahead of the 2016 Olympics, and Neeru is now trained by the same coach. She credited the similarity in their execution approach — particularly in breathing technique — as a bonding thread in their partnership.

NRAI and SAI: The System Behind the Medal

Neeru was emphatic in crediting the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) for creating the conditions for success. She noted that Indian trap shooters now receive two to three training camps annually, compared to one previously, and that the federation has expanded support to include physiotherapists and sports psychologists.

The appointment of Peter Wilson as head coach — a decision taken after discussions between the squad, NRAI and SAI the previous year — was singled out as a key structural improvement. 'The whole federation has contributed... The federation helps us a lot, and the coach, obviously, is very smart!' Neeru said.

A Gold That Has Not Yet Sunk In

Despite becoming the standout Indian performer in the shooting competition, Neeru admitted she had not yet had a private moment to absorb the achievement. 'I haven't had the time to sit alone and truly take it in, to feel that I've achieved what I had imagined. So far, that feeling hasn't really come to me, either physically or mentally,' she said.

What she is certain will stay with her, however, is not a specific shot or medal ceremony, but the weeks of illness, uncertainty and recovery that preceded the competition. 'Never in my life had I been so sick that I had to wonder whether I would even be able to compete,' she said. With the Asian Games now concluded, the shooting community will watch whether this breakout performance translates into sustained success on the global circuit.