Neeru Dhanda overcomes illness to win three Asian Games shooting medals

Neeru Dhanda was admitted to hospital with a viral fever just days before the Asian Games 2026, leaving her little time to recuperate before flying to Japan. In Nagoya she steadied herself with a self-motivating mantra and competed despite lingering weakness. The trap shooter won the women's individual gold, shared a team silver with Manisha Keer and Aashima Ahlawat, and partnered with Kynan Chenai to take mixed-team gold.

She honoured the late Raja Randhir Singh, a pioneering Indian shooter, and thanked her federation, SAI, SAI Bhopal and Bhopa Shooting Academy. Looking ahead, Dhanda aims for a quota spot at the World Championship in Doha to qualify for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, and she will also serve as India's flag bearer at the Asian Games closing ceremony.