India’s Neeru Dhanda and Kynan Chenai won the mixed team trap shooting gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on Wednesday, September 30, producing a remarkable comeback after a difficult opening series. The pair eventually finished with 34 successful hits, defeating Qatar’s Mohammed Al-Rumaihi and Ray Bassil, who scored 32, while China took bronze with 23. The victory also saw India set a new Asian record, surpassing the previous mark of 30.
The gold was particularly significant for Dhanda, who secured her second gold medal in two days, following her historic individual women’s trap title on Tuesday. For Chenai, the victory added another major Asian Games achievement to a career that has included Olympic and continental appearances. Their performance highlighted how composure, coordination and consistency can transform a difficult start into a record-setting finish.
A Stunning Turnaround
The Indian duo faced an early setback in the final after managing only six hits out of 10 targets in the opening series, leaving them at the bottom of the standings. However, Dhanda and Chenai responded with remarkable consistency, reportedly not missing a single target from that point until the gold medal was secured. Their 34-hit total not only gave India the top position but also broke the previous Asian record of 30. Qatar finished second with 32 hits, while China claimed bronze with 23.
The result also underlined the demanding nature of mixed team trap, where both shooters must maintain precision under pressure while adapting to the rhythm of their partner. For Dhanda, the medal capped another extraordinary 24 hours: after becoming the first Indian woman to win an individual Asian Games gold in trap on Tuesday, she returned to the range the following day and delivered another gold-winning performance. Chenai, meanwhile, brought years of international experience to the partnership, having represented India at the 2016 Rio Olympics and previously won an Asian Games bronze.
From Breakthrough To Back-To-Back Gold
Dhanda’s latest achievement follows a landmark individual campaign. On Tuesday, the 26-year-old from Haryana’s Jind scored 28 out of 30 in the women’s trap final, surpassing the previous Asian record of 24 and becoming the first Indian woman to win an individual Asian Games medal in trap. She had also helped India secure silver in the women’s trap team event alongside Aashima Ahlawat and Manisha Keer.
Dhanda’s rise has accelerated in 2026, with her becoming the first Indian woman to win an individual trap gold at the ISSF Shotgun World Cup in Italy in July. Chenai, 35, entered the Games with extensive experience in the discipline and had spoken before the competition about continuing to pursue long-term goals, including another Olympic opportunity. He had previously won a bronze medal at the Asian Games and was part of India’s men’s trap team at the current Games. The National Rifle Association of India had selected Dhanda and Chenai as India’s mixed-team trap pairing for the Asian Games.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Dhanda and Chenai’s comeback is a reminder that sporting success is often built not only on technical ability but also on the capacity to recover from setbacks without losing focus. Their performance demonstrates the value of trust between teammates, patience under pressure and the willingness to keep going when the situation appears difficult. Dhanda’s back-to-back gold medals also represent an important moment for greater visibility of women in Indian shooting, while Chenai’s experience shows how sustained dedication can keep athletes competing at the highest level over many years.
As India celebrates another memorable sporting achievement, how can we ensure that performances like these inspire greater support, recognition and opportunities for athletes across less-publicised Olympic sports?
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