Indian shooting has found a new history-maker. Naib Subedar Neeru Dhanda of the Indian Army has become the first Indian ever to win an international gold medal in women's trap shooting, clinching the top honour at the ISSF Shotgun World Cup 2026 in Lonato, Italy.

Competing against some of the world's finest shooters from countries including France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, the United States and the United Kingdom, Neeru produced a performance that combined precision, composure and nerves of steel. 

A Golden Performance Under Pressure

Neeru entered the finals after an impressive qualification round, scoring 121 out of 125, placing herself among the tournament's top contenders.

The pressure only intensified in the medal round, where every shot mattered. Facing seasoned world champions, the Indian Army shooter remained calm and focused throughout the 30-target final. She finished with an outstanding 27 hits out of 30, holding off France's Carole Cormenier and Italy's Erica Sessa to secure her maiden ISSF World Cup gold. The International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) praised her composed performance, noting that she stayed among the leaders from the very beginning and maintained her consistency until the final target.

An Indian Army Star Makes History

Neeru's triumph is especially significant because it is India's first-ever international gold medal in shotgun trap shooting. The Indian Army described the achievement as a landmark moment for Indian Army shooting and a major boost ahead of the upcoming Asian Games.

Representing the Army Marksmanship Unit (AMU), Neeru has become another shining example of the Army's growing contribution to India's sporting success on the international stage. The win also adds to an impressive year for Army shooters. Recently, Sejal Raju Kamble from the Army Girls Sports Company captured gold at the ISSF Junior World Championships, while Cadets Navya and Himanshi also brought home medals, highlighting the Army's strong pipeline of shooting talent.

From Haryana to the World Podium

Hailing from Jind district in Haryana, the 26-year-old joined the Corps of Military Police after women were inducted into the Army's rank and file.

Her journey to international success was shaped at the Army Marksmanship Unit in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, one of India's premier shooting centres under the Army's Mission Olympics Wing. The facility trains military personnel, para-athletes and civilian shooters for national and international competitions.

Trap shooting demands lightning-fast reflexes, razor-sharp concentration and split-second decision-making as competitors attempt to break clay targets launched at unpredictable angles.

By conquering one of the strongest fields of the ISSF World Cup season, Neeru has shown that Indian shooters are now capable of excelling in every discipline of the sport. With the Asian Games on the horizon, India's newest shooting champion has already fired the perfect opening shot.