Naib Subedar Neeru Dhanda of the Army Marksmanship Unit (AMU) has secured India's first-ever international gold medal in shotgun trap shooting at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup in Lonato, Italy. The 26-year-old from Haryana's Jind district outperformed world champions from France, Spain, Italy, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States to claim the top spot.
Stellar Performance in Qualifications and Finals
Dhanda delivered an exceptional performance, scoring 121 out of 125 in the qualification round and 27 out of 30 in the finals. According to the Indian Army, she finished ahead of world champions from France and Spain, marking a landmark moment for Indian Army shooting and providing a major boost ahead of the Asian Games.
The ISSF noted that Dhanda triumphed in a dramatic Trap Women final, producing a composed performance to secure her maiden ISSF World Cup gold. She finished with 27 hits, holding off strong challenges from France's Carole Cormenier and Italy's Erica Sessa. From the opening stages of the final, Dhanda established herself among the front-runners and remained remarkably consistent throughout the 30-target contest. Entering the decisive phase with a narrow advantage, she maintained her composure to seal an impressive victory in one of the strongest fields of the season.
Background and Training
Hailing from Haryana's Jind district, Neeru joined the Corps of Military Police after entry into the rank and file was opened for women. She trained at the AMU located at the Infantry School in Mhow, which trains military personnel, para-athletes, and civilians in precision sports shooting for international competitions under the Indian Army's Mission Olympics Wing. The unit prepares individuals for Olympic and national competitions. Earlier, Dhanda had won the gold medal in trap shooting at the Asian Shooting Championship in 2025.
Significance of the Achievement
While Neeru is the first Indian gold medallist in the shotgun event, other Indian shooters have achieved international success. Esha Singh has been an ISSF World Cup gold medallist and junior world record holder in the women's 25m pistol event, and Abhinav Bindra was the first individual Olympic gold medallist for India in the men's 10m air rifle event. The ISSF, founded in 1907 and headquartered in Munich, Germany, is the global governing body for Olympic shooting events and several non-Olympic disciplines covering rifle, pistol, and shotgun.
What is Trap Shooting?
Trap shooting is a popular target sport where participants use a shotgun to shoot flying targets known as clay pigeons, which are launched from a concealed 'trap house'. The objective is to break as many targets as possible, requiring excellent focus, quick reflexes, and precise aim. Dhanda's victory underscores India's growing prowess in this demanding discipline.
