Asian Games: Neeru Dhanda to be India's women's flag-bearer at closing ceremony

Asian Games: Shooting star Neeru Dhanda will be India's women's flag bearer at the Asian Games closing ceremony after winning two gold medals and a silver in a remarkable campaign in Nagoya, cementing her status as one of India's standout performers.

In Short

• Neeru Dhanda named India's women's flag bearer for closing ceremony
• Dhanda won two gold medals and a silver at the Asian Games
• The Indian shooter will return to Nagoya to lead the contingent

India's shooting star Neeru Dhanda will have the honour of carrying the national flag at the closing ceremony of the Asian Games in Nagoya on Sunday, bringing a fitting close to a campaign in which she emerged as one of the country's most successful athletes.

The 27-year-old trap shooter won two gold medals and a silver during the Games, making her one of India's standout performers in the continental showpiece.

Dhanda opened her campaign by winning the women's individual trap gold. She then combined with Manisha Keer and Aashima Ahlawat to secure silver in the women's team event.

Her biggest medal haul was completed in the trap mixed team event, where she partnered Kynan Chenai to win another gold medal, taking her total to three.

The decision to name Dhanda as India's women's flag-bearer was confirmed by deputy chef de mission Anjali Bhagwat on Friday.

"She is returning to Nagoya tomorrow morning to be the woman flag bearer. The decision on the male flag bearer will be taken tomorrow," Bhagwat said.

Dhanda had returned to India after winning her third medal, but will travel back to Nagoya on Saturday morning for the closing ceremony.

Her Asian Games success adds another major achievement to what has already been an impressive year. Dhanda won the women's trap gold at the ISSF World Cup in Lonato earlier this year, further establishing herself among India's leading shooters.

Her three-medal haul in Nagoya also highlights the contribution of Indian shooting to the country's campaign. Dhanda's consistency across individual, team and mixed-team competition allowed her to finish the Games with gold medals in two different formats.

For Dhanda, however, the closing ceremony will offer a different kind of milestone.

After standing on the podium three times during the Games, she will now lead the Indian contingent into the final celebrations, carrying the national flag alongside India's yet-to-be-announced men's flag-bearer.

From winning gold on the shooting range to carrying the tricolour at the closing ceremony, Dhanda's Asian Games journey has been one of the defining stories of India's campaign in Nagoya.

- Ends