Neeru Dhanda Creates History with India's First-Ever Women's Trap Gold at ISSF Shotgun World Cup

Indian shooting celebrated a historic milestone on Saturday as Neeru Dhanda became the first Indian woman to win a gold medal in the trap event at an ISSF Shotgun World Cup, producing a sensational performance at the prestigious ISSF World Cup in Lonato, Italy.

Representing the Army Marksmanship Unit (AMU), the Asian champion delivered under pressure throughout the competition, topping the qualification round before producing a composed display in the final to secure one of the biggest victories of her career. The triumph also gave India its first gold medal of the ongoing Lonato Shotgun World Cup, further underlining the country's growing strength in shotgun shooting.

Competing against a world-class field that included reigning world champions and Olympic medalists, Neeru demonstrated remarkable consistency to stand on top of the podium and etch her name into Indian shooting history.

Neeru's campaign was built on consistency from the very beginning. She topped the qualification round with an outstanding score of 121 out of 125, finishing ahead of several of the world's most accomplished trap shooters to enter the medal round as the top seed. Maintaining that momentum in the final, Neeru remained calm throughout the elimination stages and eventually posted 27 hits out of a possible 30, comfortably enough to secure the gold medal.

Her ability to maintain composure during the pressure-filled final highlighted the mental strength that has become one of her defining qualities over the past two seasons. The victory capped a near-perfect day on the range and represented the finest international performance of her career.

https://www.indiasportshub.com/articles/india-tops-issf-junior-world-championship-2026-medal-table-with-24-medal-haul-in-suhl

The significance of Neeru's triumph becomes even greater when considering the quality of the competition she overcame. France's Carole Cormenier, one of the world's leading trap shooters, finished second with 25 hits, taking the silver medal. Italy's Erica Sessa secured the bronze medal after scoring 19 in the final. Neeru also finished ahead of Spain's Mar Molné Magriñá, a world champion, and Italy's Silvana Stanco, the Paris Olympic silver medalist, highlighting the exceptional standard of her achievement.

Winning against such an elite field confirms that the Indian shooter belongs among the world's best in women's trap shooting.

India has enjoyed tremendous success in rifle and pistol shooting over the past two decades, producing Olympic champions, world champions, and numerous World Cup winners. However, shotgun events have traditionally proved more challenging, with Indian shooters finding it difficult to consistently challenge for top honors on the global stage. Neeru's victory changes that narrative.

She has now become the first Indian woman ever to win a Shotgun World Cup gold medal in trap, marking a landmark achievement for Indian shooting. The success also reflects the steady progress being made by India's shotgun program, particularly through specialized training centers such as the Army Marksmanship Unit.

Neeru Dhanda's historic success is another feather in the cap for the Army Marksmanship Unit (AMU), which has played a pivotal role in developing some of India's finest shooters. Representing the Indian Army, Neeru has steadily progressed through the international ranks, benefiting from structured coaching, world-class facilities, and regular exposure to elite competition. Her latest achievement further highlights the contribution of the armed forces towards India's success in shooting sports, with the Army continuing to nurture athletes capable of competing and winning at the highest level.

The World Cup title continues Neeru's remarkable rise over the past year. Having already established herself as the 2025 Asian Champion, she arrived in Lonato carrying strong expectations.

Rather than being burdened by them, she elevated her performance even further on one of the sport's biggest stages. Winning a World Cup against an elite international field provides another major confidence boost as she continues preparing for future global championships and Olympic qualification events. Her consistency across multiple major competitions suggests that this victory is no isolated result but part of a broader upward trajectory.

India has enjoyed another impressive season in international shooting, collecting medals across rifle, pistol, and shotgun disciplines. Neeru's gold further strengthens India's reputation as one of the world's leading shooting nations. More importantly, her breakthrough provides inspiration for a new generation of shotgun shooters, particularly young women looking to pursue trap shooting at the highest level. Success stories such as Neeru's demonstrate that Indian athletes can now compete with—and defeat—the world's very best across every discipline.

The victory in Lonato comes at an ideal time as Indian shooters continue preparations for upcoming international competitions. World Cup victories not only provide valuable ranking points but also build confidence ahead of World Championships, Asian Games, Commonwealth competitions, and future Olympic qualification events. For Neeru personally, defeating several world-class competitors in a high-pressure final reinforces her credentials as one of India's strongest medal prospects in women's trap shooting.

Her ability to combine technical precision with mental resilience will be crucial as she aims to maintain this level consistently over the coming years.

Neeru Dhanda's gold medal in Lonato will be remembered as one of the defining moments in the history of Indian shotgun shooting. From topping qualification with 121/125 to delivering a composed 27/30 in the final, she controlled the competition from start to finish, defeating world champions and Olympic medallists to claim India's first-ever women's trap gold at an ISSF Shotgun World Cup.

The achievement is not only a personal milestone for the Army shooter but also a landmark moment for Indian sport. As the country's shooting programme continues to evolve, Neeru Dhanda's historic triumph stands as proof that Indian athletes are capable of conquering every discipline on the global stage, inspiring the next generation of shooters to aim even higher.