Stories
Neeru Dhanda Wins Historic Asian Games Gold After Battling Illness, Coach Wilson's Mantra
N
News18•29-09-2026, 18:30
Neeru Dhanda Wins Historic Asian Games Gold After Battling Illness, Coach Wilson's Mantra
- •Neeru Dhanda secured a historic gold medal at the Asian Games, becoming the first Indian woman to win an individual shotgun title, despite battling relentless rain and difficult conditions.
- •British coach Peter Wilson's mantra, "Grind everyone into the ground," motivated Neeru, who followed his advice to "get every single target."
- •Just 10 days before the competition, Neeru was hospitalized for three days with suspected H1N1, and had not trained for three-and-a-half weeks, making her participation uncertain.
- •Wilson praised Neeru's dedication and focus on taking one target at a time, even after a harsh yellow card incident during the final, which she professionally brushed off.
- •Despite the triumph, Wilson plans a decompression period before the World Championships, where India aims to secure quota places, acknowledging the emotional rollercoaster of sport.
Key Questions Answered
Neeru Dhanda won a historic gold medal in the women's trap final, scoring 28 points to set a new Asian record and become the first Indian woman to claim an individual shotgun title at the Asian Games.
Just 10 days before the competition, Neeru was hospitalised for three days due to a suspected H1N1 infection and did not train for three and a half weeks prior to arriving in Japan.
Coach Peter Wilson emailed the federation requesting to cancel the upcoming national squad camp so the shooters can decompress and properly recover before the World Championships, which are only a month away and offer crucial Olympic quota places.
