India’s shotgun shooters continued their strong run at the Asian Shooting Championships in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, with Neeru Dhanda clinching the gold medal in women’s trap on Monday.

Neeru’s Composed Finish

The 25-year-old shooter from Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh, produced a composed performance in the six-woman final, finishing with a tally of 43 hits out of 50. In the closing stages, she held off Qatar’s Ray Bassil, sealing victory with a flawless final series of five hits.

Fellow Indian Aashima Ahlawat also impressed, taking home the bronze medal, while Preeti Rajak finished 10th. Together, the trio secured gold in the team event.

From Agony to Glory

The victory marked redemption for Neeru, who narrowly missed a medal at the ISSF World Cup in Lonato last month, finishing fourth on countback. This time, she showed maturity and mental resilience, capitalising on her rival’s mistakes to secure the top prize.

India’s high-performance manager (shotgun) Mansher Singh, who has worked closely with Neeru, praised her growth:
“Neeru has matured into a strong shooter now. Her confidence is much higher, and she is handling pressure situations far better. Finals are everything, and she is proving herself in those big moments.”

Men’s Trap Success

In the men’s trap event, Bhowneesh Mendiratta added to India’s medal tally by winning silver, further underlining the team’s form at the continental championship.

Mansher Singh summed up the team’s approach:
“You have to trust your abilities and keep a quiet mind. These results show the shooters’ mental resilience is improving day by day.”

With multiple medals already in the bag, India’s shotgun shooters look set for a memorable campaign in Shymkent.

Source: TNIE / PTI
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