Asian Games 2026: Who is Neeru Dhanda? Inspired by Cousin's Silver, India Military Naib Subedar wins her Own Medal

India's Neeru Dhanda booked her place in the women's trap individual final at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games after producing a score of 118 in qualification.

Her performance also played a key role in India securing the silver medal in the women's trap team event alongside Aashima Ahlawat and Manisha Keer.

Dhanda's 118 was crucial for India as the high score sealed the Silver. Aashima managed 106 while Manisha scored 104 in their qualification.

Dhanda entered the Asian Games in excellent form after making history earlier this year by becoming the first Indian woman to win an individual ISSF World Cup gold in trap, triumphing at Lonato, Italy. She also won gold at the 2025 Asian Shooting Championships.

Who is Neeru Dhanda?

Born in Jind, Haryana, 26-year-old Neeru Dhanda represents Madhya Pradesh in domestic competitions and is a Naib Subedar in the Indian Army's Corps of Military Police. She trains at the Army Marksmanship Unit in Mhow. Her rise has been rapid, with her breakthrough coming through national-level success before she established herself internationally.

She took up shooting after watching her maternal cousin Lakshay Sheoran win a Silver at the Asian Games 2018 trap event.

Her biggest career achievement came at the 2026 ISSF World Cup in Lonato, where she shot 121/125 in qualification and 27/30 in the final to win gold. She had also won the 2025 Asian Shooting Championships gold.

Aashima Ahlawat

Aashima Ahlawat, 22, is a Haryana trap shooter who took up the sport after watching Indian shooters at the 2018 Asian Games. Introduced to trap by former champion Ronjan Singh Sodhi in 2021, she won individual bronze and team gold at the 2025 Asian Shotgun Championships.

Manisha Keer

Bhopal-born Manisha Keer has risen through the sport after initially training with borrowed equipment. A seasoned international competitor, she has won World Cup medals and was part of India's silver-medal-winning women's trap team at the 2022 Asian Games.