With Neeru Dhanda’s gold medal performance at the ISSF World Cup in Lonato, India has yet another cause for celebration. The 26-year-old Naib Subedar of the Army Marksmanship Unit has put her name in the record books as the first Indian woman to take home an ISSF World Cup title in women’s trap shooting.
Dhanda’s showing in Italy was nothing short of remarkable. Facing off with some of Europe’s finest and other top international talent, she held her nerve on one of the sport’s biggest stages to deliver a historic breakthrough for Indian shooting. It is a victory that does more than mark an individual triumph; it is indicative of the country’s emergence as a force to be reckoned with in shotgun events.
A Historic Breakthrough for Indian Shooting
Up until now, India had not won an ISSF World Cup gold in the women’s trap event, so this is being viewed as a watershed moment. In what is one of the most exacting disciplines in shooting, Dhanda produced a career-defining display under considerable pressure.
Her numbers tell the story: an impressive 121 out of 125 in the qualification round set a new national record, and she kept her composure in the final to post 27 out of 30 and claim the gold. That was enough to put her ahead of France’s former world champion Carole Cormenier and Italy’s Erica Sessa.
How Neeru Dhanda Made History
For the sports fan or any Indian rooting for the nation, there is plenty to savour in this win. For years, the trap discipline has been the preserve of established European nations. Neeru Dhanda has shown that Indian women can not only compete but best the world’s best in such a competitive category.
The Role of the Army Marksmanship Unit
One cannot overlook the part played by the Indian Army in this success. The Army Marksmanship Unit, with its disciplined training and world-class facilities, has a habit of turning out elite athletes, and Dhanda is the latest example of their structured approach bearing fruit. This medal bolsters confidence in India’s long-term prospects in the sport and sets the tone for what is to come in major competitions.
Consistency Behind the Historic Gold
This is not an overnight success. Dhanda has been building steadily for years, making herself known as a top prospect with a gold at the 2025 Asian Shooting Championship. But the Lonato victory is the biggest of those milestones and her first individual ISSF World Cup medal to boot.
After the match, Dhanda put it down to a fearless mindset and self-belief when the pressure mounted. Yet she was quick to point out that her work is not done. Her eyes are already on the World Championship and the Asian Games, with the ultimate aim of carrying the flag at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
More Than Just a Gold Medal
In a sport where India has not always made its mark on the international scene, Dhanda’s gold is a defining moment. It is a powerful statement for the young women who want to represent the country in precision sports. Her path from the rigours of the Army to becoming a World Cup champion is a case study in perseverance.
Aspiring shooters will see in her success that the barriers of the past can be broken. Neeru Dhanda has not just added to the medal count; she has created history and left an example for future champions to follow.
