Coach celebrates Neeru Dhanda’s Asian Games trap gold by breaking umbrella
Indian shooter Neeru Dhanda won the women’s trap gold at the Asian Games, becoming the first Indian woman to claim the event’s individual title. Her coach, Peter Wilson, celebrated by breaking an umbrella after she secured victory, while Dhanda finished ahead of China’s Sun Yunong and Kuwait’s Abdulmalik Hajar.
Indian shooter Neeru Dhanda won the women’s trap gold at the Asian Games, and her coach Peter Wilson celebrated by breaking an umbrella after the result was secured. Dhanda hit 28 of 30 targets in the final to finish ahead of China’s Sun Yunong, who scored 26. Kuwait’s Abdulmalik Hajar took bronze with 21.
The victory made Dhanda the first Indian woman to win an individual Asian Games gold in trap. It also ended a 48-year wait for India’s second individual trap gold at the Games, after Randhir Singh’s 1978 victory. Dhanda held her composure in rain and poor visibility.
She entered the final after qualifying with 118 points and maintained her advantage as several rivals struggled in the difficult conditions. After her 27th target put the result beyond doubt, Wilson’s emotions spilled over. The national trap coach, who won double-trap gold for Britain at the 2012 London Olympics, broke an umbrella during the celebrations before wrapping Dhanda in the Indian flag.
Dhanda had earlier helped India win silver in the women’s trap team event with Aashima Ahlawat and Manisha Keer. India finished behind China and ahead of Kuwait. The gold followed Dhanda’s breakthrough at the ISSF World Cup in Lonato, Italy, where she became the first Indian woman to win a World Cup trap gold and set a national record.
She said Wilson’s detailed planning had made execution easier, while she continued working with personal coach Mansher Singh on technique and mental preparation.
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