Historic Gold for India in Women's Trap Shooting
Indian shotgun shooter Neeru Dhanda created history at the ISSF World Cup in Lonato, Italy, by becoming the first Indian woman trap shooter to win a gold medal at the tournament. The 26-year-old also set a new national record with a qualification score of 121 out of 125, before defeating former world champion Carole Cormenier of France in a tense final.
Emotional Podium Moment
Speaking about her landmark achievement, Dhanda described the emotional experience of watching the Indian flag rise during the medal ceremony. According to a press release, she said: "Watching the national flag go up on the podium was an incredible feeling. It made me realise that the world's best shooters are well within our reach. We did not have a women's trap medal at this level for a very long time, so this gold finally breaks that barrier. I am confident that medals will now come much more consistently for India."
Composure Under Pressure
Dhanda displayed remarkable composure during the high-stakes final, maintaining focus on her technique despite competing against an experienced field. She explained her mindset: "When you compete alongside a world champion, you have to believe you are a champion too. I blocked out everything else and focused completely on my own routine. It didn't matter to me who was hitting or missing around me. Nothing is impossible when you stay calm, live in the present, and train with absolute focus."
Next Goals: World Championships and Olympics
Looking ahead, Dhanda emphasised that the World Cup victory is just the first step in a long competitive cycle. The gold medal serves as a massive confidence booster as the squad shifts focus toward upcoming major global assignments and Olympic qualification. "This gold is a great start, but the real work begins now. We have the National Camp coming up, and my focus is completely on the World Championships and securing the Olympic quota. My ultimate goal is to win a gold medal at the Los Angeles Olympics, and our preparation for that dream starts right here," Dhanda said.
Coach's Perspective
India's foreign coach, Peter Wilson, praised Dhanda's immense progress over the past year. He highlighted her victory at the Asian Championships in Shymkent as the key turning point that gave her the confidence to succeed at the highest international level. "Neeru has improved tremendously, and winning in Shymkent last year gave her the belief that she belongs on the big stage. She has put in a massive amount of invisible hard work off the range, and this gold is a perfect reward for her perseverance. I want India to dominate the global shotgun circuit, not just participate," Wilson said.
Wilson compared Dhanda's breakthrough to Richard Faulds' Olympic gold for the UK in 2000, noting that a single individual success often paves the way for a generation of athletes. "When Richard Faulds won Olympic Gold for the UK in 2000, he broke the mould, and an entire generation of British shooters flourished because they realised they could win too. Neeru has done the exact same thing for India. She has shown the entire squad that global gold is possible, and we want to use this momentum to push our boundaries," Wilson added.
