Indian trap shooter Neeru Dhanda’s 2026 Asian Games gold in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, rewarded her years of hard work and family sacrifices. With two golds and a silver in trap shooting, she became the first Indian woman to win an individual Asian Games gold in a shotgun event. As she prepares to lead the Indian contingent as flag bearer at the closing ceremony, Neeru speaks to Bangalore Times about overcoming fear, India’s changing sporting landscape and the lessons beyond the podium. Excerpts:‘Better support systems are helping athletes dream bigger’As India’s sporting landscape grows, Neeru credits better facilities, planning and support systems for helping athletes aim higher. “Facilities and opportunities together help an athlete move forward. The government, federation, coaches and the entire team all play an important role. It is a complete system,” she says. With her Asian Games goal achieved, her sights are now set on the Olympics. “We are preparing with the same mindset as the Asian Games. We imagine ourselves winning and bringing home a gold medal for the country. When the Indian flag goes up, what could be prouder than that?” she adds.
I thank God for choosing me for this moment and giving me the chance to do something big for my country. My parents made so many sacrifices for me, and when that moment finally came, all those struggles felt small. I had imagined myself standing there, but seeing it become reality was wonderful and a moment of great pride
Neeru Dhanda
‘Fear gives you the courage to take the next step’Winning three medals also meant handling pressure and fear. For Neeru, fear is not something to avoid, but a sign to keep moving forward. “Every athlete feels pressure and fear. But when you look beyond that fear, life becomes beautiful,” she says, and adds, “Fear is necessary because it gives you clarity to take the next step. Once you free yourself from that fear, you have to focus on doing your work with complete dedication.” Her family remains her biggest source of strength throughout her journey. “Remembering everything my family has done for me, through the good and bad times, gives me the courage to take the next step,” she adds.‘Every achievement comes at a price’Asked about the challenges of being a woman athlete, Neeru says everyone has their share of struggles. “Whether you are a young girl, a businessperson or a student, everyone struggles. Without struggle, there is no value in success. Everything in life comes at a price. Instead of calling it a struggle, I see it as the price we pay to achieve something,” she says.
The medals we have won so far are just the beginning. Young athletes are coming forward, and with the hard work of the entire team and the federation, many more medals will follow
Neeru Dhanda, on the growing medal tally of India
‘Sport has taught me to be a better person’Beyond medals, Neeru says sport has taught her discipline, patience and how to treat people. Her time in Japan reinforced that lesson. “I used to be quite aggressive, but sport has taught me a lot. If I can control that aggression and behave well with people, things can become better. Travelling and meeting different people has taught me something from everyone. Staying positive and treating others well can teach you a lot about life,” she says.
