Madhya Pradesh's shooters delivered a spectacular performance at the 68th National Shooting Championship Competitions (Shotgun), with Asian Championship gold medalist Neeru Dhanda leading the charge by securing the top prize in the women's trap event. The championship concluded on Monday at the renowned Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi.
Dhanda's Golden Finish in a Tight Final
In a display of steady nerves and composure, Neeru Dhanda shot 41 hits in the final to clinch the gold medal. She narrowly outperformed Delhi's Kirti Gupta, who took the silver medal with a score of 40. The podium was completed by another talented shooter from Madhya Pradesh, Pragati Dubey, who earned the bronze with a final round score of 32. This result marked a memorable clean sweep of the women's trap individual medals for the state.
Dominance from Qualification to Team Event
The foundation for this success was laid during the qualification rounds, where Madhya Pradesh shooters asserted their supremacy. Pragati Dubey topped the qualification with an impressive score of 117, followed closely by her teammate Neeru Dhanda who scored 114. Securing the top two qualification spots highlighted the depth of talent within the MP contingent and set the stage for their final triumph.
The state's dominance extended seamlessly into the team event. The trio of Pragati Dubey, Neeru Dhanda, and Manisha Keer combined forces to win the women's trap team gold medal. Their collective effort resulted in a commanding combined total of 339 points, further cementing Madhya Pradesh's reputation as a powerhouse in the shotgun trap discipline.
Reinforcing a Legacy of Excellence
While other states shone in the junior men's categories, Madhya Pradesh's achievements in the senior women's events stood out as a hallmark of consistency, teamwork, and technical skill. The outstanding performances by the state's leading shooters—spearheaded by Neeru Dhanda, Pragati Dubey, and Manisha Keer—have powerfully reinforced Madhya Pradesh's status as one of India's leading forces in shotgun shooting. This successful outing at the national championship underscores the effective training systems and abundant talent pool within the state.
