India’s Neeru Dhanda clinched gold in the women’s trap event at the ISSF World Cup Shotgun in Lonato, Italy, after a strong performance in the final on Saturday.
The Indian shooter shot 27 out of 30 to finish on top of the field and secure another important medal for India in shotgun shooting. France’s Carole Cormenier finished second with 25, while Italy’s Erica Sessa took bronze with 19.
“After qualifying for the final, my only motive was to go back with the gold medal. My full focus was on giving my 200 percent. I gave it my best. Thank you to the National Rifle Association of India, the Indian Army and Olympic Gold Quest,” Neeru said after the final.
It was her first individual World Cup gold after coming close in Italy last year, when she finished fourth.
“I have been missing this medal for the last three times, and my challenge was to keep my bib number at the very top. I wanted to fight from qualification to final, and it paid off,” she said.
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Neeru, who will represent India at the Asian Games in Japan later this year, maintained her remarkable consistency in the final, missing just three targets — the second, 13th and 25th shots — to seal a deserved maiden World Cup gold.
India’s men’s trap shooters, meanwhile, endured another disappointing outing, finishing well down the pecking order in their final international competition before the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya in September-October.
Ahvar Rizvi shot 118/125 in qualification to finish joint 40th in a field of 208 shooters, while experienced Kynan Chenai, who is also part of the Asian Games squad, ended joint 71st with a score of 116.
Shapath Bharadwaj had another disappointing day, managing only 113/125, with his lowest score of 21/25 coming in the fifth and final qualification round. Bharadwaj finished joint 106th along with several other shooters.
Published on Jul 11, 2026
