Neeru Dhanda's Historic Win Marks New Era for Indian Trap Shooting
A Milestone for Indian Trap Shooting
New Delhi, July 18: Peter Wilson, the foreign coach for India's trap shooting team and a gold medalist from the London 2012 Olympics, has expressed that Neeru Dhanda's remarkable victory at the ISSF Shotgun World Cup in Lonato signifies a pivotal moment for Indian trap shooting. The team is now preparing for the upcoming ISSF World Cup in Hangzhou, set to commence on July 20, followed by the Asian Games later this year.
During a Media Day event hosted by the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) at the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi, Wilson commended Dhanda's historic achievement. He stated, "Having just returned from the World Cup in Lonato, where Neeru excelled, we are now focused on the World Cup in China. This victory marks India's first Olympic gold in women's trap shooting, which is monumental. I'm thrilled for her; she has dedicated immense effort and truly deserves this recognition."
Wilson's remarks came shortly before the Indian rifle and pistol teams departed for Hangzhou, while the trap shooting squad is scheduled to leave on Monday. Notably, Neeru Dhanda will not be part of this contingent.
Under Wilson's mentorship, Indian trap shooting has seen significant advancements. Earlier this month, Dhanda made history by becoming the first Indian woman to secure an individual gold medal in the women's trap event at an ISSF World Cup in Lonato, Italy. Wilson has also played a crucial role in the success of other Indian shooters, including Zoravar Singh Sandhu, who won a bronze medal at the 2025 ISSF Shotgun World Championship.
The former Olympic champion emphasized that the coaching staff's responsibilities extend beyond mere technical training, highlighting the importance of fitness, nutrition, and overall athlete development as India aims for success at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Discussing the significance of diet and fitness for shooters, Wilson remarked, "We focus on every facet of an athlete's life, including their nutrition. Our objective is to maximize each athlete's potential so that when they represent the country, they can perform at their best. While this may not always result in gold medals, it is about continuous improvement leading up to the Olympic Games in Los Angeles."
The ISSF World Cup in Hangzhou will be a vital step in India's preparations for a busy international schedule, with the Asian Games taking place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 17 to October 3.
As the foreign coach for the shotgun team, Wilson will accompany the athletes to the Asian Games, where India aims to build on its recent global successes and further enhance its standing in trap shooting.
India's Rifle & Pistol Team
* Men: Parth Rakesh Mane, Himanshu Dhillon, Shahu Tushar Mane, Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Niraj Kumar, Rudrankksh Balasaheb Patil, Kedarling Balakrishna Uchaganve, Kamaljeet, Anish, Omkar Singh, Bhavesh Shekhawat.
* Women: Elavenil Valarivan, Sonam Uttam Maskar, Sakshi Sunil Padekar, Ashi Chouksey, Vidarsa K Vinod, Tilottama Sen, Suruchi, Sainyam, Esha Singh, Manu Bhaker, Rahi Sarnobat.
India's Trap Team
* Men: Udaiveer Singh Jaijee, Bhowneesh Mendiratta, Vivaan Kapoor.
* Women: Pragati Dubey, Kirti Gupta, Rajeshwari Kumari.