Neeru Dhanda etched her name into the record books on Tuesday, turning in a near-flawless display to win the women’s trap gold at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya. Dhanda scored 28 in the individual final, missing only two shots and setting a new Asian record. It is India’s fifth gold of the Games and its first individual title, following wins in women’s cricket, men’s and women’s kabaddi and the mixed team 10m air pistol. The gold capped a busy morning for the 2026 Asian Games shooter. Dhanda topped the individual qualification round jointly with a score of 118, securing her place in the final. Neeru Dhanda delivered a major milestone for India by winning gold in the women’s individual trap event. She became the first Indian woman to win an individual trap gold at the Asian Games. Earlier in the day, Dhanda had also joined Manisha Keer and Aashima Ahlawat in securing silver in the women’s trap team event.
The Indian trio finished second in the women’s trap team competition with a combined score of 328. China took gold with 346 points, while Kuwait secured bronze. Dhanda also qualified for the individual final after producing one of the strongest qualification performances. Shooting remained a major focus for India, with Shapath Bharadwaj also reaching the men’s individual trap final after winning a three-way shoot-off. Kynan Chenai and Ahvar Rizvi were also part of India’s men’s trap campaign. Boxing provided another medal opportunity as Parveen took on China’s Li Shu in the women’s 65kg semifinal. Parveen had already assured herself of a medal by defeating Uzbekistan’s Navbakhor Khamidova in the quarterfinals. India’s Ankush Panghal and Narender were also scheduled to compete in their respective men’s semifinals.
Athletics is set to dominate the later part of Day 11, with several Indian athletes competing in medal events. Gulveer Singh and Avinash Sable are scheduled to contest the men’s 5000m final, while Mohammed Afsal will compete in the men’s 800m final. India will also feature in the men’s and women’s relay finals, including the mixed 4x100m, women’s 4x400m and men’s 4x400m events. Other Indian athletes are competing in events including pole vault, high jump, hammer throw, archery, cycling, surfing, canoe slalom, tennis, sailing, squash, kurash and volleyball. The men’s volleyball team is scheduled to face Qatar, while several Indian athletes are involved in elimination and qualification rounds across different disciplines.
