On Tuesday (September 29, 2026), Neeru Dhanda fought her opponents and the elements to win India’s first and only individual gold so far in shooting.
On Wednesday (September 30), she found the perfect foil in Kynan Chenai, the senior pro backing the youngster all the way as the two combined to win the trap mixed team gold with a new Asian record score.
Keep track | Asian Games 2026 LIVE: Kynan, Neeru win gold, set Asian record in trap shooting Kynan put his individual disappointment behind him and took charge of the proceedings, even as Neeru, struggling to recover from being in the heavy downpour all day yesterday, felt physically unable to sustain the pressure, struggling to get the big scores she is known for.
The duo shot two consecutive series of 46 and then a 44 to advance as the fourth and final qualifiers with a total of 136.
While Kynan scored an impressive 73 out of a maximum of 75, Neeru stumbled in the final series with only a 19 after two series of 22s for a total of 63 but it was good enough to get into the final.
Asian Games 2026: Lovlina to fight for gold, Priya, Kapil sign off with bronze medals The final, though, was a complete contrast to the Indians taking charge early on and then staying on top all the way.
Kynan missed his first and only target of the final, being spot-on thereafter, scoring 19 out of a maximum of 20 points.
Neeru managed 15, but it was good enough.
India started with a six in the first series, followed it up with a perfect 10 to be tied with Qatar at the top on 16 points.
Another series of 10 put India two clear after Qatar’s 8, and the difference remained till the end.
India finished on top with a 34 “You have no idea how happy I was it wasn’t raining.
It helped out with the targets also; it wasn’t so difficult to see.
Initially it was a bit tough, but it brightened up towards the end of the final.
Thank God it wasn’t raining; otherwise it would just have been miserable.” Kynan admitted but insisted that the conditions didn’t really matter in terms of competition.
“I think more than anything else, the chase for the medal was more inspiring.
As shotgun shooters, we don’t really have a choice other than lighting; we shoot in every type of condition, so we just become used to it.
Having the national anthem played for you is something special and today, one of my dreams came true,” he added.
Neeru, on the other hand, admitted she struggled but credited Kynan and her team for keeping her motivated enough to shoot a decent score.
“All through the qualifying and in the final also, Kynan kept encouraging me, pushing me to do my best even when I struggled to score.
It helped a lot to stay there,” she admitted.
