Neeru Dhanda creates history in Lonato, becomes first Indian woman trap shooter to win ISSF World Cup gold
Indian shooter Naib Subedar Neeru Dhanda made history at the ISSF World Cup in Lonato, Italy, becoming the first Indian woman trap shooter to win gold. Dhanda broke the national record with a 121/125 qualification score before claiming victory
Hyderabad: Indian shotgun shooter Naib Subedar Neeru Dhanda scripted history at the ISSF World Cup in Lonato, Italy, by becoming the first Indian woman trap shooter to win a Gold medal at the tournament. The 26-year-old broke the national record with a qualification score of 121/125 before outlasting former World Champion Carole Cormenier of France in a tense final.
Following her historic victory, Dhanda and India’s Foreign Shotgun Coach, Peter Wilson, shared their thoughts on the performance. Dhanda spoke about the emotional experience of standing on the podium and how this landmark medal changes the outlook for the entire Indian women’s trap contingent.
“Watching the national flag go up on the podium was an incredible feeling. It made me realise that the world’s best shooters are well within our reach. We did not have a women’s trap medal at this level for a very long time, so this gold finally breaks that barrier. I am confident that medals will now come much more consistently for India.”
The young shooter displayed remarkable composure during the high-stakes final, staying focused on her technique despite competing against an experienced field. Dhanda explained that her mindset was centred entirely on execution rather than the reputation of her competitors.
“When you compete alongside a world champion, you have to believe you are a champion too. I blocked out everything else and focused completely on my own routine. It didn’t matter to me who was hitting or missing around me. Nothing is impossible when you stay calm, live in the present, and train with absolute focus.”
Looking ahead, Dhanda emphasised that this World Cup victory is just the first step in a long competitive cycle. The gold medal serves as a massive confidence booster as the squad shifts its focus toward upcoming major global assignments and Olympic qualification.
“Neeru has improved tremendously, and winning in Shymkent last year gave her the belief that she belongs on the big stage. She has put in a massive amount of invisible hard work off the range, and this gold is a perfect reward for her perseverance. I want India to dominate the global shotgun circuit, not just participate,” India’s foreign coach Peter Wilson said.
“When Richard Faulds won Olympic Gold for the UK in 2000, he broke the mould, and an entire generation of British shooters flourished because they realised they could win too. Neeru has done the exact same thing for India. She has shown the entire squad that global gold is possible, and we want to use this momentum to push our boundaries.”