Mandaviya Hails India's Women's Trap Team for Asian Games Silver
Union Sports Minister Mandaviya celebrates as Manisha Keer, Neeru, and Aashima Ahlawat clinch silver in the women's trap team event at the Asian Games.
Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has lauded the exceptional performance of the Indian women's shooting team following their silver medal triumph in the trap team event at the Asian Games 2026. The trio, consisting of Manisha Keer, Neeru, and Aashima Ahlawat, displayed remarkable precision to secure a podium finish in Japan.
A Thrilling Shootout for Silver
The Indian squad delivered a high-pressure performance to finish with a combined total of 328 points. This score was enough to edge out Kuwait, who took home the bronze medal with 325 points. While China dominated the field to claim the gold with a score of 346, India's performance stood out as a significant achievement for the nation's shooting contingent.
The victory was bolstered by standout individual contributions:
- Neeru: Delivered India's strongest individual performance with a score of 118 out of 125. Her prowess also saw her finish joint-top in the individual qualifying round alongside Qatar's Ray Bassil.
- Aashima Ahlawat: Contributed a vital 106 points.
- Manisha Keer: Added 104 points to the team total.
Minister Mandaviya took to social media to express his pride, specifically noting the impressive feat of debutants Neeru and Aashima Ahlawat. His message, shared via X, extended heartiest congratulations to the entire team for their success on the continental stage.
Broader Updates from the Asian Games
While the women's trap team celebrated, other Indian athletes were also in action across various disciplines:
Shooting and Archery
In the men's trap team final, Shapath Bharadwaj, Kynan Chenai, and Ahvar Rizvi finished in sixth place, though Shapath has successfully advanced to the individual final. In archery, Dhiraj Bommadevara and Neeraj Chauhan have moved into the men's recurve individual quarterfinals after winning their Round of 16 encounters.
Canoe Slalom and Squash
India saw success in canoe slalom, where the pairs of Hitesh Kewat and Pradhyumna Singh Rathod, as well as Pallavi Jagtap and Rina Sen, have progressed to the semi-finals. In squash, the Indian women's team showed dominance by defeating Iran with a clean 3-0 sweep to enter the quarterfinals.
Cycling and Other Disciplines
The cycling contingent saw mixed results, with India finishing seventh in the men's team sprint and sixth in the women's team sprint, while the women's team pursuit squad ended in fifth place. In surfing, Kishore Kumar Anbarasu's journey ended in the men's shortboard quarterfinals, and in kurash, Vipin Kumar was eliminated in the men's 66kg Round of 16.