Neeru Dhanda Carries Tricolour as Asian Games 2026 Concludes
Trap shooter Neeru Dhanda carried the Indian tricolour at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026 closing ceremony after a historic medal haul.
Trap shooter Neeru Dhanda led the Indian contingent at the closing ceremony of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026 on Sunday, marking a historic end to the 20th edition of Asia's premier multi-sport event in Japan. Dhanda, who delivered a standout performance throughout the Games, carried the national flag into the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium, symbolizing India's significant achievements on the continental stage.
A Historic Campaign for Neeru Dhanda
Dhanda's selection to lead the Parade of Nations comes on the heels of a career-defining performance. The 27-year-old became the first Indian woman to win an individual Asian Games gold in trap shooting. Her remarkable campaign included:
- Gold Medal: Individual Trap Shooting (setting a new record)
- Gold Medal: Mixed Team Trap event (partnering with Kynan Chenai)
- Silver Medal: Women’s Team Trap event (with Aashima Ahlawat and Manisha Keer)
Reflecting on her achievement, Dhanda noted that this was her first Asian Games and expressed immense pride in winning her first gold—the first for India in women’s trap ever, and the first in the discipline since 1978.
India’s Medal Haul and Team Dominance
India concluded the Aichi-Nagoya Games with a total of 85 medals, finishing fourth in the overall standings. The country secured 21 gold, 27 silver, and 37 bronze medals. While this was slightly below the 106-medal tally from the 2023 Hangzhou Games, the 2026 campaign was defined by several landmark successes.
India achieved a spectacular "clean sweep" in team sports, winning gold in all six competitions across cricket, kabaddi, and hockey. In a high-stakes cricket final, the Indian men's team secured victory over arch-rivals Pakistan by 19 runs, following a title win by the women's team.
Closing Ceremony Highlights: 'One Asia'
The closing ceremony, themed 'One Asia', was a vibrant celebration of Japanese culture, featuring traditional dance, music, and contemporary performances. The event included:
- Parade of Nations: Athletes from across the continent gathered to bid farewell to the Games.
- Handover Ceremony: The historic torch and flag from the 1951 New Delhi Asian Games were presented to the Qatari delegation.
- Future Hosts: Olympic champion Mutaz Barshim received the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) flag, as Doha prepares to host the 2030 Asian Games.
Final Medal Standings Overview
The competition saw intense rivalry at the top of the leaderboard:
- China: 341 medals (169 gold)
- Japan: 269 medals (83 gold)
- South Korea: 150 medals (39 gold)
- India: 85 medals (21 gold)