'Shotgun Queen' Neeru Dhanda Strikes Second Gold in Asian Games Record with Kynan Chenai

Scripting an indelible chapter in Indian sporting history, 26-year-old shooting sensation Neeru Dhanda cemented her legacy as the nation's "Shotgun Queen" by claiming mixed team trap gold alongside veteran marksman Kynan Chenai at the Asian Games in Nagoya on Wednesday, September 30, 2026. The sensational victory crowned Dhanda as India's most decorated athlete at the continental showpiece, completing a stunning personal haul of two gold medals and one silver. Defeating a formidable Qatari team with a combined finals tally of 34 out of 40—a new Asian and Games record—the triumph stands out as an extraordinary exhibition of grit, coming just days after Dhanda was discharged from a hospital bed battling suspected H1N1 influenza.Overcoming Hospitalization and Fatigue: The Gritty Road to a Historic TrebleThe 26-year-old's masterclass in precision shooting capped a grueling physical test of endurance against high-altitude weather and systemic fatigue:Hospitalized 10 Days Prior: Just over a week before arriving at the Games village, Dhanda had to be admitted to a hospital in India with suspected H1N1 influenza, leaving her battling acute muscular weakness, body chills, and dehydration.Three-Hour Rain Battle in Individual Final: On Tuesday, she made history as the first Indian woman to win an individual shotgun gold medal, having endured a three-hour shoot in driving rain and cold conditions that left her completely exhausted.A Remarkable Three-Medal Tally: Combined with her earlier silver medal in the women's team trap event, the mixed team gold placed Dhanda at the very summit of Indian multi-medalists at the continental championship.Qualification Drama: Kynan Chenai's Masterclass Steps Up for DhandaCarrying the toll of consecutive competition days, Dhanda relied on a resolute display from partner Kynan Chenai during qualification:Navigating Fatigue in Prelims: Visibly drained and recovering from drenched competition gear, Dhanda registered 63 hits out of 75 targets during the mixed team qualification rounds on Wednesday morning.Chenai's 73/75 Keeps India in the Hunt: Kynan Chenai mounted a near-flawless display, hitting an exceptional 73 out of 75 targets to haul the Indian pair's aggregate qualifying score to 136, securing their berth in the gold medal match.Crucial Two-Hour Respite: A mandatory two-hour gap between the morning qualification and the afternoon final offered Dhanda vital time to hydrate, rest, and recalibrate before heading back to the shooting station.19 Consecutive Hits: Turning a Shaky Start into Asian Record GloryThe gold medal match against Qatar tested the pair's mental toughness from the very first series:Tense Opening Series: India endured a nervous start when Chenai missed his first shot and Dhanda dropped three of her first five targets, leaving the Indian pair with only six hits from their opening ten attempts.Chenai's 19-Shot Streak: Stepping forward when pressure was highest, Chenai delivered a masterclass by landing 19 consecutive direct hits, stabilizing the scoreboard and affording Dhanda the breathing room needed to regain her timing.Sealing the Gold and Games Record: Finding her rhythm, Dhanda rattled off key clays in the closing series to build an unassailable lead, clinching the gold medal with a record score of 34 out of 40 against Qatar's 32."Difficult on Consecutive Days": Reflecting on her resilience, Neeru said: "Yes, I was exhausted after being completely drenched in the rain for three hours yesterday. My clothes were wet and cold. I'm still recovering from my illness after spending several days in the hospital. It was difficult to compete on consecutive days, but winning this gold makes every bit of pain worth it."