Neeru Dhanda Says World Cup Gold Will Inspire More Success for Indian Trap Shooting

Historic ISSF World Cup triumph marks a new chapter for Indian women's trap shooting

New Delhi, July 12, 2026: Fresh from creating history at the ISSF World Cup in Lonato, Italy, Indian shotgun shooter Naib Subedar Neeru Dhanda believes her landmark victory has opened the door for greater success in women's trap shooting and will inspire a new generation of Indian athletes.

The 26-year-old became the first Indian woman to win a Trap gold medal at an ISSF World Cup after producing a remarkable performance in Lonato. Dhanda also set a new national record with a qualification score of 121 out of 125 before defeating former world champion Carole Cormenier of France in a gripping final.

Reflecting on the achievement, Dhanda described the emotional moment of seeing the Indian flag raised during the medal ceremony and said the victory has strengthened the belief within the national squad.

"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."

Staying focused under pressure

Dhanda faced an experienced field in the final, including former world champion Carole Cormenier, but said her focus never shifted away from executing her own routine.

"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."

Her composure under pressure proved decisive as she delivered one of the finest performances by an Indian trap shooter on the international stage.

Eyes firmly on World Championships and Los Angeles Olympics

While celebrating her maiden World Cup title, Dhanda made it clear that her focus has already shifted towards the upcoming World Championships and the race for Olympic qualification.

"This gold is a great start, but the real work begins now. We have the National Camp coming up, and my focus is completely on the World Championships and securing the Olympic quota. My ultimate goal is to win a gold medal at the Los Angeles Olympics, and our preparation for that dream starts right here."

The historic victory provides a timely confidence boost for the Indian shooting contingent ahead of a packed international calendar, including the ISSF World Cup in Hangzhou and the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

Peter Wilson praises Neeru's transformation

India's Foreign Shotgun Coach Peter Wilson credited Dhanda's steady improvement over the past year, highlighting her Asian Championships success in Shymkent as the breakthrough that transformed her confidence.

"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."

A victory that could inspire a generation

Wilson compared Dhanda's achievement to landmark moments in British shooting, saying one athlete's success can inspire an entire generation to believe they can compete with the world's best.

"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."

Dhanda's breakthrough victory is expected to serve as a major confidence boost for Indian trap shooting as the national team prepares for the next phase of the international season, with Olympic qualification firmly in sight.

(Inputs from Press Release)