TRIUMPHANT in the face of physical adversity, Indian trap shooter Neeru Dhanda has cemented her status as a powerhouse in international sports. Returning from the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya with a haul of three medals—two golds and a silver—Dhanda’s performance stands as a testament to unparalleled mental fortitude. Her journey to the podium was not paved with smooth preparation, but rather a grueling battle against viral fever that nearly sidelined her just days before departure.
A Mindset Built for Gold
The path to glory in Japan began not at the shooting range, but in a hospital bed. With no time for a proper recovery period, Dhanda arrived in Aichi-Nagoya physically depleted. Armed with little more than medication, oral rehydration salts, and a steely resolve, she employed a psychological tactic to block out the physical pain.
Upon entering her hotel room, she made a pact with herself, repeating a simple mantra: “Neeru, tu training pe hai” (Neeru, you are in training). By refusing to acknowledge her illness as a limitation, she successfully reframed her reality. “I didn’t let my mind receive the message that I was sick or unwell,” she shared in an exclusive interview. “I thought about skipping the Games, but no, I am very stubborn. I wanted to do something different.”
Her resilience paid dividends. Dhanda secured gold in the women’s individual trap, added a silver in the women’s team event alongside Manisha Keer and Aashima Ahlawat, and rounded out her performance by capturing gold in the mixed team event with Kynan Chenai.
Honoring a Legacy
Dhanda’s emotional connection to the sport is deeply rooted in the history of Indian shooting. She has dedicated her Asian Games success to the late Raja Randhir Singh, a five-time Olympian and the first Indian shooter to win an Asian Games gold medal in 1978. Randhir, who passed away in May, left a lasting impression on Dhanda through his mentorship.
“He always said, ‘Beta, be brave. You are a shooter, you need to be brave. Shoot with bravery, you will get the result,’” Dhanda recalled. Drawing inspiration from those words during her most difficult moments in Nagoya, she carried the spirit of the pioneer with her to the range. Her gratitude extends beyond the individual, as she credits the Sports Authority of India (SAI), the Bhopal Shooting Academy, and her coaching staff for providing the foundation that allowed her to succeed.
The Road to Los Angeles
With the ISSF World Cup and Asian Games behind her, Dhanda has wasted no time shifting her focus to the ultimate goal: the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Her immediate objective is the upcoming World Championship in Doha, a critical event that serves as a qualification pathway for the Olympic Games.
The stakes for Dhanda are particularly high, given the historical landscape of Indian shotgun shooting. Since Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore’s iconic silver medal in the men’s double trap at the 2004 Athens Olympics, the discipline has struggled to produce another Olympic medalist. Dhanda is now positioned as one of India’s brightest hopes to break that two-decade drought.
“Olympics mein medal jeetna hai,” she stated firmly, underscoring her commitment to standing on the podium in Los Angeles. Her process remains grounded in rigorous introspection. By constantly analyzing her performance and diagnosing her errors, she has turned self-correction into an art form, ensuring that every competition is a building block for future success.
The “Golden Girl” Continues to Soar
The moniker “golden girl,” bestowed upon her by fans and media alike following her recent run, is a label Dhanda embraces with pride. Her journey from the village of Sangatpura in Jind to the international spotlight has been defined by relentless hard work.
Even her brief window of respite in India was cut short by a unique honor. Shortly after arriving home, she received a call from Deputy Chef de Mission Anjali Bhagwat, inviting her to serve as India’s flag bearer for the Asian Games closing ceremony. Despite having spent only hours with her family, Dhanda did not hesitate to board a flight back to Japan. Her mother’s supportive words—”Ja beta, mauka nahi milta ye kisi ko” (Go, child, not everyone gets this opportunity)—echoed the sentiment of a nation rallying behind its newest star.
As she looks toward the future, Neeru Dhanda is not just shooting for targets; she is shooting for history. With her grit, strategic mind, and newfound status as a national icon, the road to Los Angeles promises to be a defining chapter in her already decorated career.
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