Rijiju hails Indian trio's silver in Women's Trap Team at Asian Games 2026
Synopsis
Manisha Keer, Neeru, and Aashima Ahlawat won silver in Women's Trap Team shooting at Asian Games 2026, with two of the three making their debut. Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju led the congratulations on X.
Key Takeaways
Manisha Keer, Neeru, and Aashima Ahlawat won the Silver Medal in the Women's Trap Team event at Asian Games 2026 .
Neeru and Aashima Ahlawat were making their Asian Games debut in this event.
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju posted congratulations on X on September 29, 2026 .
Rijiju used the hashtags #AsianGames2026 and #Cheer4Bharat to amplify the achievement.
Shooting remains one of India's key medal disciplines at the Asian Games.
A silver medal and two debut stories — Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju was among the first to salute the Indian women's shooting team after Manisha Keer, Neeru, and Aashima Ahlawat claimed the Silver Medal in the Women's Trap Team event at the Asian Games 2026 on Tuesday, September 29.
Two debuts, one podium
What makes this silver particularly sharp is the debut factor. Neeru and Aashima Ahlawat were stepping onto the Asian Games stage for the very first time — and they did not just survive it, they stood on the podium. Manisha Keer, the experienced anchor of the trio, helped steer the team through the pressure of a major continental final. Together, they delivered a result that will be hard to forget for Indian shooting fans.
Rijiju's message to the trio
Posting on X, Rijiju wrote: 'SILVER ON TARGET FOR BHARAT! Congratulations to Manisha Keer, Neeru & Aashima Ahlawat on securing the Silver Medal in the Women's Trap Team event at the #AsianGames2026. A special achievement for the trio, with Neeru & Aashima making their Asian Games debut. Well done! #Cheer4Bharat.' The minister's use of the hashtag #Cheer4Bharat — his signature rallying call for Indian athletes at continental and global events — signals how actively the government has sought to amplify the sporting identity of a new India on the world stage.
Shooting's place in India's Asian Games story
Shooting has long been one of India's most reliable medal-hunting disciplines at the Asian Games. The Trap format — where athletes blast clay targets launched at speed — demands explosive reflexes and nerves of steel. A silver in the team event reflects not just individual skill but the kind of synchronised consistency that takes years of collective training to build. With more shooting events still on the programme at Asian Games 2026, this result is a statement of intent from the Indian contingent.
Point of View
Backed by active ministerial visibility on social media. Rijiju's rapid public congratulations reflect the government's deliberate strategy of associating itself with India's sporting wins — part of a larger soft-power narrative around Brand Bharat. The debut appearances of two of the three medallists also signals a deepening bench strength in Indian shooting, which will matter as the country eyes future Olympic cycles. With more events still to run at Asian Games 2026, the momentum is real.
NationPress
29 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the silver medal in Women's Trap Team at Asian Games 2026?
Manisha Keer, Neeru, and Aashima Ahlawat won the silver medal for India in the Women's Trap Team shooting event at Asian Games 2026.
Was this Neeru and Aashima Ahlawat's first Asian Games?
Yes, both Neeru and Aashima Ahlawat were making their Asian Games debut when they secured the silver medal in the Women's Trap Team event.
What did Kiren Rijiju say about the silver medal?
Rijiju congratulated the trio on X, calling it 'SILVER ON TARGET FOR BHARAT' and describing it as 'a special achievement' given the debut appearances of two of the three athletes.
What is the Women's Trap Team event in shooting?
The Women's Trap Team event is a shotgun shooting discipline where athletes attempt to hit clay targets launched at high speed; the team format combines scores from multiple shooters.
How is India performing in shooting at Asian Games 2026?
India's silver in the Women's Trap Team event is one of the early highlights from the Indian shooting contingent at Asian Games 2026, with more shooting events still to be contested.
