Neeru Dhanda holding a gold medal, standing in front of the Indian flag, smiling with tears in her eyes.

Photo via The Free Press Journal

Dhanda’s Gold Isn’t Just Hers—It’s Bhopal’s

Bhopal’s shooter shines—again. This time, the spotlight stays.

By First Day First Show3 Oct 20261 min read

In this story

NDNeeru Dhanda

Neeru Dhanda’s performance at the Asian Games 2026 wasn’t just a personal milestone — it was a seismic moment for the Bhopal Shooting Academy. The Indian shooter claimed two gold medals and one silver in trap shooting, cementing her place as a force in the sport and spotlighting the training ground that shaped her.

Her victory in the mixed team event, where she and Kynan Chenai held their nerve to score 34 out of 40 in the final. Marked India’s first-ever gold in that category at the continental games. Dhanda called it a dream come true, saying the emotions were overwhelming. “Words simply cannot express it.

The emotions are running incredibly high,” she said after her campaign. “Winning gold for the country is a matter of great pride for me.” She credited not just the Sports Authority of India or the national federation, but specifically the Bhopal Shooting Academy and her coach for laying the foundation.

It was her coach who secured her admission to the academy and has trained her continuously for the past six years. That consistency became crucial when she faced health setbacks. “When I fell ill, he kept me fully motivated and stayed with me through every situation,” Dhanda recalled. The academy, once a quiet institution in Madhya Pradesh, now stands at the center of a national success story.

Her three-medal haul, two golds and a silver. Wasn’t just a breakthrough for Indian trap shooting. It was the culmination of years of dedication, resilience, and support from a system that believed in her long before the podium lights came on. As celebrations ripple across the country, the real legacy isn’t just the medals.

It’s the proof that excellence can rise from the most unexpected places, if someone’s willing to stay with you through the fall.

Tagged#NeeruDhanda #IndianSports #trapshooting #BhopalShootingAcademy #coaching #AsianGames2026