Neeru Dhanda Wins Historic Trap Gold at Asian Games

Indian shooter Neeru Dhanda has entered the record books by taking the gold medal in the women's Trap event at the Asian Games. She is the first Indian woman ever to finish on top of the podium in an individual Trap competition at the continental multi-sport meet, a milestone that Indian shooting had been chasing for several editions.

What makes the medal historic

Trap is a shooting discipline in which the competitor fires at clay targets flung away from the firing point, and success depends on split-second aim and steady nerves over a long series of shots. No Indian woman had won an individual gold in this event at the Asian Games before Dhanda, so her finish opens a new chapter for the country in shotgun shooting.

The Prime Minister's message

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the shooter on the achievement. He drew attention to her exceptional accuracy and composure, saying the win had brought immense pride to the nation and had handed India a historic moment to celebrate. The Prime Minister added that he was confident the feat would encourage many more young sportspersons to take up shooting and to aim for the highest honours in the sport.

Why it matters for Indian shooting

Shooting has been one of India's most dependable medal disciplines at the Asian Games, but the women's Trap title had stayed out of reach. A gold in this event signals that Indian women shooters are now competitive in the shotgun events, and not only in the rifle and pistol categories. For exam purposes the medal is significant on three counts at once: it is a gold, it is an individual medal, and it is a first for an Indian woman.

Points to remember

• Athlete: Neeru Dhanda, shooting
• Event: women's Trap, Asian Games
• Distinction: first Indian woman to take an individual Trap gold at the Games
• Qualities highlighted by the Prime Minister: accuracy and composure