“I want to put this medal around my mother’s neck”: Neeru Dhanda after historic Asian Games Trap Shooting Gold
Neeru Dhanda becomes the first Indian woman to win individual trap shooting gold at the Asian Games, dedicating her victory to her mother and coach.
Indian shooter Neeru Dhanda has scripted history at the Asian Games by clinching the gold medal in the women's individual trap event. This landmark victory makes her the first Indian woman to win gold in this specific category at the continental showpiece. In an emotional post-match reaction, the 26-year-old athlete dedicated her triumph to her mother and her coach, expressing a deep desire to place the medal around her mother's neck.
A Dominant Performance Amidst Rain
Competing in challenging, rainy conditions in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, Dhanda displayed remarkable composure to secure India's fifth gold medal of the Games. Her performance was characterized by steady precision, as she topped both the qualification and the final rounds.
Dhanda's journey to the top podium included several key milestones during the competition:
- Strong Start: She hit all five targets in her opening series during the final.
- Resilience: Despite a single miss in the second series, she recovered quickly to maintain her lead.
- Asian Record: During the qualification round, she set an Asian record by missing only two out of 30 shots, finishing with a score of 28.
Overcoming Weather and Pressure
The rainy weather presented significant difficulties, but Dhanda noted that her rigorous training schedule had prepared her for such adversity. "We prepare for this during our regular training. We train in bad weather conditions too," she remarked, noting that while local conditions in Japan differed, her ability to stay calm was the deciding factor.
The shooter expressed immense pride in hearing the Indian national anthem play, stating, "The feeling is super high-level. I am very excited. I have won a Gold medal for my country."
Roots of Success: Family and Coaching
Dhanda’s rise from a humble background to an international champion is a testament to her support system. The daughter of a farmer and a housewife, she credited her family and her specialized coaching staff for her success.
She highlighted the influence of her paternal aunt, Ajado Devi, a former Kabaddi player, as a source of inspiration. She also extended her gratitude to her coach, Mansher Singh, who has been working with her at the grassroots level for the past six years. Additionally, she acknowledged the support of Olympic champion coach Peter Wilson, physiotherapist Ashwani, and psychologist TJ.
A Landmark Year for the Shooter
This gold medal adds to an extraordinary year for the Naib Subedar of the Indian Army Marksmanship Unit. Earlier this year, Dhanda achieved significant milestones including:
- Winning her maiden ISSF World Cup gold in Lonato, Italy, in July.
- Securing the Asian Championship title.
- Winning a silver medal in the women's trap team event alongside Aashima Ahlawat and Manisha Keer.
Dhanda's individual performance in the team event was equally stellar, where she contributed 118 out of a total of 125 points.