Neeru Dhanda Named Flag Bearer After Three-Medal Asian Games Haul

Two gold medals, a team silver and a campaign built on resilience have earned Neeru Dhanda another honour at the Asian Games 2026, with the Indian trap shooter set to be the women's flag bearer at Sunday's closing ceremony in Nagoya.

Dhanda, 27, will return to Nagoya on Saturday morning after travelling back to India following her third medal of the Games - gold in the mixed team trap event alongside Kynan Chenai.

Deputy chef de mission Anjali Bhagwat confirmed the decision on Friday, while the identity of the men's flag bearer will be announced later.

"She is returning to Nagoya tomorrow morning to be the woman flag bearer. The decision on the male flag bearer will be taken tomorrow," Bhagwat said.

From illness and fatigue to three medals

Dhanda's selection as flag bearer comes at the end of a demanding campaign in which she emerged as one of India's most successful athletes at the Games.

She won the women's trap individual gold before combining with Chenai for another gold in the mixed team event. The pair's triumph came a day after Dhanda had spent nearly three hours competing in cold and persistent rain during the individual competition.

She had also been recovering from an H1N1 illness that had required a three-day hospital stay in India, making the physical demands of the competition even greater.

Despite the circumstances, Dhanda repeatedly returned to the same principle: focus on the process rather than the conditions or individual mistakes.

"We shoot continuously for five or six days, so the body and mind gradually get better by repeating the process again and again," she said.

"Today was the same challenge. I was tired, but I had to push myself, and I kept pushing."

Neeru Dhanda's comeback that sealed mixed team Asian Games gold

Dhanda and Chenai entered the mixed team final after scraping into the medal round in fourth place during qualification.

The Indian pair had combined for 136 hits, with Dhanda managing 63 out of 75 and Chenai producing 73. A two-hour break before the final gave Dhanda time to recover with help from her physiotherapist, coaches and teammates.

She then turned the final around after a difficult start.

Dhanda missed three of her opening five targets but responded with 13 consecutive hits. Chenai was equally composed, missing just once before hitting his next 19 targets.

The Indian duo eventually finished with 34 hits out of 40, setting an Asian and Games record while securing the gold medal.

Dhanda credited the support around her for helping her recover between rounds, particularly physiotherapist Ashwani and Chenai.

"My physiotherapist, Ashwani, helped me recover before every round. My teammates, especially Kynan bhaiya, fought really well. I was a little weak, but I managed to recover," she said.

A flag bearer's honour after a standout Games

Dhanda's three-medal haul has now been followed by the responsibility of leading India into the closing ceremony.

The honour caps a campaign in which she had to manage illness, exhaustion and difficult weather while maintaining her concentration on the range.

Her performances have also provided momentum ahead of the next major target - the Olympics.

"We are getting stronger. We will be prepared for the Olympics. If we can compete in these kinds of situations, it will be good for us," Dhanda said.

For Dhanda, however, the prospect of carrying the Indian flag was not something she had allowed herself to dwell on during the competition.

"I haven't thought about it yet. But if it happens, it will be great. What could be better than holding the flag of our country?" she had said.

On Sunday, she will get the opportunity to do exactly that.