Neeru Dhanda scripts history with World Cup trap gold, wins India's first-ever international shotgun title

Indian shooter Neeru Dhanda etched her name into the record books after becoming the first Indian to win an international gold medal in shotgun trap shooting. The 26-year-old clinched the historic title at the ISSF World Cup in Lonato, Italy, delivering a composed performance against an elite field featuring some of the world's best shooters from Europe and the United States.

Neeru Dhanda creates history with landmark ISSF World Cup triumph

Representing the Army Marksmanship Unit (AMU), Naib Subedar Neeru Dhanda produced a remarkable display in the women's trap final to secure India's maiden international gold medal in the shotgun discipline.

The Haryana-born shooter finished with 27 hits in the 30-target final, edging out France's Carole Cormenier and Italy's Erica Sessa to capture her first-ever ISSF World Cup gold. Dhanda remained among the leaders throughout the contest and held her nerve in the closing stages to seal one of the biggest victories of her career.

The triumph adds another milestone to Neeru Dhanda's growing résumé after she also claimed the gold medal at the 2025 Asian Shooting Championship in the trap event.

Indian Army shooter continues remarkable rise

Hailing from Jind, Haryana, Dhanda joined the Corps of Military Police after the Indian Army opened its ranks to women. She honed her skills at the Army Marksmanship Unit in Mhow under the Army's Mission Olympics programme, which prepares military personnel and civilian athletes for national and international shooting competitions.

Her historic World Cup victory also highlights the continued success of the Army's shooting programme on the global stage. Earlier this year, Sejal Raju Kamble, another shooter trained at the Army Marksmanship Unit, won the junior women's 10m air pistol gold at the ISSF Junior World Championships in Germany, while Cadet Navya claimed team gold and Cadet Himanshi secured bronze in the same competition.

Trap shooting is one of the most demanding shotgun disciplines, requiring competitors to hit fast-moving clay targets launched from concealed trap houses. Neeru Dhanda's historic achievement now places her alongside India's elite shooting champions and marks a significant milestone for Indian shotgun shooting on the international stage.