Kynan Chenai Scores 19/20 to Secure India’s Mixed‑Team Trap Gold

Kynan Chenai hit 19 of 20 shots in the mixed‑team trap final, delivering India its gold medal.

The moment swung in Chennai’s favour when Chenai, after a 16th‑place finish in the individual qualifiers, told his partner Neeru Dhanda he was ready to reset. He swapped a worn 38‑year‑old barrel, handed down by his father, for a new, high‑rib model, and the difference was instant—each trigger pull was sharper, each target a promise.

Dhanda’s own resilience in the rain‑slicked range had kept the pair on track, but it was Chenai’s mental shift that tipped the scale. He paused the routine, focused on the target, and the final round unfolded like a well‑rehearsed play. The gold not only added to India’s Asian Games tally but also gave Chenai a confidence boost ahead of the Paris 2024 qualifiers.

Now, with the trophy in hand, Chenai is eyeing the next big stage—Paris. The mixed‑team triumph sets the tone for his Olympic campaign, and the country is watching closely to see if he can convert this momentum into a podium finish in the coming months.