SportsPosted at: Oct 4 2026 6:28PM


Neeru Dhanda leads India at Asian Games closing ceremony

Nagoya, Oct 4 (UNI) Trap shooter Neeru Dhanda carried the Indian tricolour at the Asian Games 2026 closing ceremony at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium on Sunday as the 20th edition of the continental meet came to an end.
Neeru earned the honour of the flag-bearer following a memorable Asian Games 2026 campaign in Aichi-Nagoya, where she won two gold medals and a silver.
Neeru was one of the four Indians who finished their campaign with three medals. Archer Kumkum Mohod, distance runner Gulveer Singh and quarter-miler Vithya Ramraj were the others.
The 27-year-old Neeru became the first Indian woman to win an individual Asian Games gold medal in trap shooting before combining with Aashima Ahlawat and Manisha Keer for silver in the women’s team event. She then partnered Kynan Chenai to claim the mixed team trap gold as Indian shooters finished the Games with 15 medals - three gold, eight silver and four bronze, according to olympics.com.
“This has been a truly special experience because this was my very first Asian Games,” Neeru said.
“It was the first gold won by India in women’s trap ever, and the first gold medal in trap since 1978.
“To go back from my very first Asian Games with three medals, two of them gold and one silver,
all with records, is truly special. I could not have asked for anything more.”
Neeru led the Parade of Nations carrying the national flag before the rest of the Indian contingent entered the stadium alongside athletes from across Asia.
Volunteers danced alongside the athletes as they made their final appearance at Aichi-Nagoya 2026.
The closing ceremony was centred around the theme of ‘One Asia’, with athletes gathering around the central stage as parkour performers and laser displays featured in the programme.
As part of the handover ceremony, the torch and flag from the inaugural Asian Games 1951 in New Delhi were paraded into the stadium before being presented to the Qatari delegation.
The OCA flag was also handed over to Qatar, with Olympic champion and three-time world high jump champion Mutaz Barshim receiving it as Doha prepares to host the next Asian Games in 2030.
Doha will stage the Asian Games for the second time, 24 years after hosting the continental event in 2006.
Meanwhile, India finished fourth in the Asian Games 2026 medal tally with 85 medals - 21 gold, 27 silver and 37 bronze.
Athletics was India’s biggest contributor with 24 medals, followed by shooting with 15. Archery delivered five gold medals as India won medals across 21 sports.
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