Neeru Dhanda Makes History: India’s First Gold in Women’s Trap Shooting

Indian sports fans have a huge reason to celebrate. A 26-year-old shooter named Neeru Dhanda has made history. She won India's first-ever gold medal in the women's trap event at the ISSF Shotgun World Cup. This exciting event took place in Lonato, Italy. Her victory is a massive step forward for shooting sports in India.

For a long time, Indian shooters have tried to reach the top of the podium in this specific event. Neeru's gold medal did not just bring glory today; it also ended a very long wait. India had to wait 16 years for an individual medal in women's trap at the World Cup stage. The last time an Indian woman won an individual medal in this event was back in 2010 when Seema Tomar won a silver medal. Neeru's gold represents a major breakthrough, signaling a paradigm shift in Indian sports as female athletes continue to conquer new heights globally.

How Neeru Reached the Final

The journey to the gold medal was not easy. The competition in Italy was very tough. However, Neeru showed great focus and skill from the very start. In the qualifying round, she topped the board by scoring an amazing 121 out of 125. She started the match with flawless shooting. In the first three rounds of qualification, she did not miss a single target, scoring a perfect 75 out of 75.

In the next rounds, the pressure started to build. Neeru missed two targets in the fourth round. She missed another two in the fifth round. Even with these small mistakes, her excellent start kept her at the very top of the leaderboard. This amazing performance helped her qualify for the grand final with absolute confidence.

A Tense and Thrilling Final

The final round featured eight of the best shooters in the world. The pressure was incredibly high, but Neeru kept her cool. She missed only three shots during the entire final match. She finished with a brilliant score of 27 hits to secure the gold medal. The crowd watched in awe as she took down target after target with great precision.

Her opponents were some of the biggest names in the sport. Carole Cormenier of France, who is a former world champion, had to settle for the silver medal with 25 hits. The bronze medal went to Italy's Erica Sessa. Winning against such experienced world-class shooters makes Neeru's achievement even more special.

An Inspiring Hero from Haryana

Neeru Dhanda comes from the Jind district in Haryana. Haryana is a state in India that is famous for producing many legendary athletes. Neeru is already the reigning national champion in India, but this international gold medal is the biggest achievement of her career so far. Last year, she won the Asian Championships gold medal. She also won a mixed team bronze medal at the ISSF World Cup in Almaty. That bronze was very special because it was only India’s second medal in that event since it was brought back to the Olympics.

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Her hard work and success serve as a beautiful story of empowerment for young girls across India. Stories like Neeru's remind us of the powerful messages shared in Womens Day 2026 wishes, celebrating women who break limits and make their countries proud on the world stage.

The Secrets Behind Her Success

No athlete wins a world-class medal alone. Behind Neeru’s success is a lot of hard training and expert guidance. She currently trains under Peter Wilson. Peter is India's foreign coach and an Olympic gold medalist who won his medal at the London Olympics. His experience and coaching have clearly helped Neeru handle high-pressure situations with ease.

The field at the Lonato World Cup was extremely competitive. Two other shooters scored 120 in the qualification round, and five others had to compete in a shoot-off just to get into the final eight. Neeru’s compatriots also gave their best. Manisha Keer shot 117 out of 125, finishing in 10th place and barely missing the final. The third Indian shooter, Aashima Ahlawat, finished in a tie for 80th place out of 106 shooters.

A Bright Future for Indian Shooting

Neeru Dhanda's victory has brought a fresh wave of excitement to Indian shooting. It shows that with the right coaching, dedication, and support, Indian athletes can beat the best in the world. As the 2026 World Cup season continues, fans will be looking forward to seeing more great performances from Neeru and the rest of the Indian team. She has set a high standard, and her journey is just beginning.