Indian para-shooter Mona Agarwal has made the country proud by winning a gold medal in the women’s 10m air rifle SH1 event at the Asian Para Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya. She delivered an impressive performance on Monday and became the second Indian woman to win a gold medal at the Asian Para Games, according to the report.
Mona scored 250.0 points to finish in first place. She faced tough competition from her Indian teammate Avani Lekhara, who won the silver medal with 249.6 points. The difference between the two shooters was just 0.4 points, making the competition extremely close.
Mona’s victory was especially important because it gave India its first medal of the Asian Para Games 2026. Her gold medal started India’s campaign on a positive note, while Avani’s silver added another medal to the country’s tally.
The competition remained exciting until the final stages. Before the final shots, Mona was leading Avani by just 0.1 point. Mona had scored 239.2 points, while Avani had 239.1 points. Both athletes continued to perform well under pressure, but Mona managed to maintain her lead and secure the gold medal.
Avani Lekhara is one of India’s most recognised para-shooters. She won a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, and her performance at the Asian Para Games once again showed her ability to compete at the highest level. Although she narrowly missed the gold medal, her silver medal was another important achievement for India.
South Korea’s Yunri Lee finished third and won the bronze medal in the event. The competition featured talented athletes who demonstrated excellent concentration, skill, and determination.
The SH1 category is designed for shooting athletes with lower-limb impairments who can support the weight of their firearm without assistance from a shooting stand. Athletes in this category require high levels of focus, balance, and control to achieve accurate results.
Mona Agarwal’s achievement highlights her hard work, dedication, and commitment to para-sports. Her victory is also an inspiration to aspiring athletes, especially those with disabilities who want to compete at the international level.
With one gold and one silver medal from this event, India made a strong start to its Asian Para Games 2026 campaign. Mona’s performance will be remembered as an important moment for Indian para-shooting, while Avani’s silver medal further strengthened the country’s presence in the competition.