Asian Games: Neeru Dhanda, Kynan Chenai Stage Stunning Comeback to Win Trap Mixed Team Gold

India finished with 34 hits to surpass the previous Asian record of 33, set by Qatar in Doha earlier this year. Qatar took the silver medal with 32 hits, while China claimed bronze with 23 and Iran finished fourth.

The victory marked Neeru’s second gold medal of the Games after she won the women’s individual trap title on Tuesday. She has now collected three medals in Aichi-Nagoya, having also contributed to India’s silver medal in the women’s trap team event.

The mixed team triumph was India’s third gold medal in shooting at the Games. India’s overall tally stood at nine gold, 21 silver and 27 bronze medals for 57 medals.

The Indian duo, however, faced an uphill task at the start of the four-team final. They managed just six hits from their opening 10 shots, leaving them at the bottom of the standings. Qatar led with seven, while China and Iran were level with India on six.

Neeru and Kynan then produced a remarkable turnaround. They found their accuracy in the second series and did not miss a target thereafter, reaching 16 hits after 20 shots and moving level with Qatar. Their flawless sequence also helped India secure a podium place after Iran was eliminated on 12 hits.

The final was briefly interrupted by a technical problem involving the trap machinery at Station 1. Once the competition resumed, the Indian pair immediately returned to their rhythm.

They maintained their perfect run through the next phase, reaching 26 hits from 30 shots and putting themselves firmly in contention for the title.

China, despite its strong start, was eliminated after the 30-shot stage with 23 hits. Qatar remained the main challenger on 24, turning the closing stages into a direct battle between India and Qatar for gold.

Neeru and Kynan held their nerve in the decisive phase and finished with 34 hits. The score not only secured the gold medal but also broke Qatar’s Asian record of 33.

For Neeru, the victory capped a remarkable two-day spell. Having won the individual trap title on Tuesday, she returned to the range less than 24 hours later and added another gold alongside Kynan.

Kynan, meanwhile, added the mixed team title to India’s shooting medal haul as the pair completed one of the competition’s most dramatic comebacks.

From sitting last after the opening series with just six successful shots, Neeru and Kynan produced an uninterrupted run of accurate shooting to finish on top with a record-breaking 34 hits.