NAGOYA: The wait is finally over for India.
Neeru Dhanda won the country's first individual gold medal in the ongoing edition of the Asian Games on Tuesday.
It came in a spectacular fashion.
The shooter, who represents Madhya Pradesh, gunned down the top prize in the women's trap final. It was the historic on multiple counts. The celebrations were palpable as soon as she sealed the gold.
It was India's first gold in the discipline after 47 years. Coming into the final, Randhir Singh, who passed away earlier this year, was the first and only Indian to win an individual trap gold medal at the 1978 edition of the Games.
Neeru had a total of 28 -- an Asian Record and she finished two clear of China's Yunong Sun. Hajar Abdulmalk took the bronze with 21.
This history-making feat is no fluke as Neeru had been making waves by delivering some significant hits over the two years or so. Last year, she had captured the yellow metal during the Asian Championships in Shymkent. Earlier this season, the 26-year-old had become the first woman from India to win a gold in the ISSF World Cup -- Lonato World Cup.
Earlier, Neeru had shown signs of what was to come by topping the qualification stage, helping the team win a silver medal. Manisha Keer, who finished 23rd in the qualification, and Aashima Ahlawat, who finished 16th, were other members of the team. China captured the team gold while Kuwait won the silver.
