EXCLUSIVE | Kynan Chenai’s golden charm: How father’s 30-year-old gun helped him win Asian Games gold | Asian Games 2026 News

NEW DELHI: When Kynan Chenai arrived at the Aichi Prefectural General Shooting Gallery in Aichi-Nagoya for the Asian Games 2026 trap mixed team final, the gun in his hands was not his regular weapon.It was a 30-year-old gun borrowed from his father, Darius Chenai.Darius, a two-time national trap champion, had used the same barrel to win both his national titles. On Wednesday, his son used it to win the mixed team trap gold medal with Neeru Dhanda.For Kynan, the medal was special. Tears rolled down his cheeks when the national anthem was played. Winning the gold became even more special because it came with the gun that carries his father’s legacy of more than three decades.In a big final, Kynan did not know that his lucky charm would turn into a golden charm.Asian Games Full Coverage | Medal Tally | Schedule“I did shoot with my father’s barrel. It’s a very old barrel. He got it with his first import that he shot the national championship with. And he’s won two national championships in India with this barrel itself,” Kynan told TimesofIndia.com in an exclusive interview from Japan.The decision to change his gun came at the last moment. His coach asked him to switch weapons, and instead of looking for another option, Kynan approached his father and decided to use the barrel with which Darius had won two national titles.“I didn’t have one with me at the time and the coach wanted me to change, so I took his. And yeah, actually, if you think about it, it’s a very special feeling to have this medal with that barrel. And I’m not giving it back to him anytime soon,” he said.

Darius Chenai (Special Arrangement)

‘He’s been one of my biggest inspirations’

Darius has played a big role in his son’s career. From making sure Kynan remained focused on academics to supporting his journey in shooting, he has been a constant presence in his life.“He’s been one of my biggest inspirations and, more importantly, the biggest support in my shooting career for the last 25 years. He has nurtured me from a young age till now,” Kynan said.Even before the Asian Games final, Kynan turned to his father for advice.“Even yesterday, we had a long chat about what the plan was and how I’m going to go about my final and the upcoming season. You know, all the doubts and all the questions you have as an athlete. I was having a chat with him, in fact,” he said.For Kynan, it is simple: when in doubt or ahead of an important competition, pick up the phone and call his father. That is exactly what he did before the Asian Games mixed team final.“You know, he just settles you. He just gives you a base. Family always gives you a base,” Kynan said.

Neeru Dhanda and Kynan Chenai (PTI Photo)

From Rio to another Asian Games gold

Kynan represented India at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where he finished 19th in the men’s trap event. He then missed out on qualification for the Tokyo and Paris Olympics.But his hunger for another Olympic appearance, and winning a medal, remains strong.“Yeah, every Olympics you miss is a big thing. And, well, for Tokyo and Paris, I simply didn’t win a quota. And when you don’t win a quota, you don’t go to the Olympics,” he said.“I went to the Paris Olympics as a spectator. And watching my fellow shooters shoot gave me a push. I went with Rajeshwari (wife) for the Paris Olympics, and it was really nice to be on the Olympic ground, watch people shoot and be a spectator,” he said.“It also gives you a little bit of a push to train harder and try and win a quota for the country again,” he added.Kynan now has his eyes on the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.“Well, it is a goal, but if God has it in His plan and it’s written in the stars, then yes,” he said.

Kynan Chenai with his father Darius (Special Arrangement)

‘I’m more hungry now’

Kynan has now won gold at two consecutive Asian Games editions. He was part of India’s men’s trap team that won gold at Hangzhou 2022, while also winning an individual bronze. He has now added the mixed team trap gold in Aichi-Nagoya.With every medal, Kynan says his hunger to win more has only grown.“I’m more hungry now because I feel like I’ve done a lot of work over the decade, but this sport never ceases to amaze me. And I’m just happy that I could stick to my guns, stick to my process and carry out the mixed team. The way it went down today was really rewarding,” he said.“So I’m more hungry, I think, and I’ll always be hungry because this sport is an obsession. It’s nothing else,” he added.

Kynan Chenai and Neeru Dhanda

Neeru fought through illness

Neeru had to fight through illness to win her Asian Games medals.Just days before the Games, she suffered from viral fever. She took medicines for a few days, but when her condition did not improve, she was admitted to PSRI Hospital in Chirag Delhi. She was later discharged, but had little time to recover before competition.According to Kynan, Neeru was still not fully fit, but she fought bravely and gave it everything.Despite not being able to train in the lead-up to the competition, Neeru won the individual trap gold on Tuesday. She had already helped India secure a silver in the women’s team event before teaming up with Kynan to win mixed team gold on Wednesday.The Indian pair finished with an Asian and Games record score of 34.“She was just brilliant. She didn’t do any training leading up to the tournament, and she was in hospital. And then she came out and shot that final yesterday in the rain. She was really tired today, but she held on as much as she could, and it was great,” Kynan said.“You need a partner to hold on and fight for every target, which she did, and we have a result,” he added.Before the final, Kynan had only one message for his partner.“Ahead of the final, I just said to her: ‘Good luck, be strong and just keep shooting. That’s it.’”