Mona Agarwal Wins Gold, Avani Lekhara Takes Silver as India Make Strong Start at Asian Para Games

AICHI-NAGOYA, Oct 19: Indian para athletes made an impressive start to their campaign at the 2026 Asian Para Games on Monday, with Mona Agarwal winning gold and Avani Lekhara securing silver in the women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 event in Japan.

Mona produced a composed performance in the final to finish with 250.0 points, narrowly ahead of Avani, who registered 249.6 points. South Korea’s Lee Yunri claimed the bronze medal with 227.9 points, completing the podium in a competition that highlighted India’s strength in para shooting.

The result gave India a one-two finish in the event and provided an early boost to the country’s medal campaign. Both shooters had also performed strongly during qualification, where Mona topped the standings with 629.1 points, establishing a new Asian Para Games qualification record, while Avani finished second with 626.4 points.

The achievement was particularly significant because it brought together two established performers in Indian para sports. Mona continued her rise in international shooting, while Avani added another major continental medal to her collection.

India’s opening-day prospects received further encouragement from para-archery, where Sheetal Devi equalled the world record in the women’s compound qualification round. Her performance reinforced expectations that the Indian contingent could challenge for medals across multiple disciplines during the Games.
Mona holds her nerve in a closely contested final
Mona’s gold-medal performance was decided by a narrow margin, with just 0.4 points separating her from Avani at the conclusion of the final.

In precision shooting, competitors must maintain consistent technique while managing the pressure associated with every shot. Small variations can determine the difference between the top positions, particularly when athletes are closely matched.

Mona handled the final with composure, finishing on 250.0 points to secure the title. Avani remained close throughout the contest but had to settle for silver after reaching 249.6.

The result reflected the depth of India’s para-shooting programme, with two athletes from the same country occupying the top two places in a major international competition.

Mona’s performance was also notable in the context of her progress since the previous edition of the Games. She had finished sixth at the 2022 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, making her latest achievement a substantial improvement in the continental competition.

Her qualification performance had already indicated that she would be a serious contender for the gold medal. By scoring 629.1 points, she established a new Asian Para Games record in the qualification round.

Although qualification scores do not determine the final medal positions, her result placed her in a strong position before the decisive stage. She subsequently converted that opportunity into a gold-medal finish.

The victory represents an important milestone for Mona and adds to India’s growing presence in para shooting, a discipline in which the country has developed several internationally competitive athletes.
Avani Lekhara adds another international medal
Avani’s silver medal further strengthened her reputation as one of India’s leading para shooters.

The Rajasthan-born athlete has established herself through consistent performances at major international competitions, including the Paralympic Games. Her latest result continued that record of success, even though she narrowly missed the top position.

Avani’s qualification score of 626.4 placed her second behind Mona, setting up the prospect of an Indian one-two finish before the final began.

She then maintained her challenge through the medal round, finishing only 0.4 points behind her compatriot.

The silver medal was another valuable addition to her collection at the Asian Para Games. Avani had won gold in the same event at the 2022 edition in Hangzhou, and her performance in Japan confirmed that she remains competitive at the highest level.

Her result also demonstrated the importance of consistency in a sport where athletes must repeatedly reproduce precise movements and maintain concentration over an extended competition.

The narrow difference between the two Indian shooters made the final particularly significant. Rather than a contest dominated by one competitor, it developed into a close battle between athletes who had already established themselves among the leading qualifiers.

For India, having two shooters at the top of the podium is encouraging because it demonstrates the strength of the team as well as the individual ability of its athletes.

The outcome may also provide confidence to the wider Indian contingent as athletes from other sports begin their medal events.
Sheetal Devi equals world record in para-archery
India’s positive start extended beyond the shooting range, with para-archer Sheetal Devi producing an outstanding performance in the women’s compound qualification round.

The 19-year-old scored 704 out of a possible 720 points, equalling the world record and establishing a new Asian record in the process, according to reports published on Monday.

Her performance demonstrated exceptional accuracy across the 72-arrow qualification round. Sheetal recorded 57 arrows in the 10-point zone and 32 in the inner X ring, underlining the precision of her shooting.

The score surpassed her previous Asian record of 698 points, which she had established during an earlier competition.

Para-archery requires athletes to combine technical control, concentration and consistency across a large number of attempts. Qualification rounds are particularly demanding because a competitor must maintain accuracy throughout the session rather than rely on a handful of exceptional shots.

Sheetal’s performance therefore represented more than a strong opening score. It placed her among the leading contenders in the event and gave India an encouraging position ahead of the subsequent knockout stages.

Her teammate Payal Nag also contributed to the Indian effort, recording 675 points to finish fifth in the individual qualification standings.

Together, their scores gave the Indian women’s compound team a combined total of 1,379 points, placing it first in the team qualification rankings and securing a place in the semifinals.

The result strengthened India’s prospects of competing for further honours in para-archery as the tournament progresses.
A growing presence in international para sports
The early achievements in shooting and archery highlight the breadth of India’s participation at the Aichi-Nagoya Games.

Para sports bring together athletes competing in different classifications, with events designed to allow competitors to demonstrate their abilities under rules adapted to their respective categories.

Success depends on several factors, including technical preparation, physical conditioning, mental resilience and the ability to perform under the pressure of international competition.

India’s one-two finish in shooting and Sheetal’s record-equalling archery performance demonstrate how athletes from different disciplines can contribute to the national campaign.

The results also highlight the value of sustained preparation. Reaching a major international podium requires athletes to develop consistent performance standards rather than rely solely on individual moments of success.

For established competitors such as Avani, the Games offer another opportunity to extend an already impressive record. For Mona, the gold medal marks a significant advance from her previous continental appearance.

Sheetal’s qualification result, meanwhile, gives Indian archery an additional reason for optimism as the knockout rounds approach.

The early performances may also inspire younger athletes with disabilities to consider competitive sport and recognise the opportunities available through structured training and national-level programmes.

However, the opening results represent only part of the wider competition. India will need to maintain its consistency across the remaining events if it hopes to convert individual successes into a strong overall medal tally.
Indian athletes face a packed schedule
Monday’s programme includes competition across para-athletics, swimming, badminton, table tennis, powerlifting, cycling, judo and archery.

Among the athletes scheduled to compete in medal events are high jumper and long jumper Nishad Kumar, powerlifters Jaspreet Kaur, Parmjeet Kumar and Manish Kumar, along with several Indian swimmers.

The schedule also features para-badminton matches, where India has a competitive presence, and para-table-tennis contests involving experienced international performers.

The breadth of the programme creates multiple opportunities for India to add to its medal count, although the outcome in each discipline will depend on qualification performances and the strength of the opposition.

Nishad Kumar’s appearance in the men’s long jump T47 final is among the notable athletics events on the schedule. The Indian athlete has previously achieved success at major international competitions and will be seeking another strong performance.

India’s archers will also look to build on the opening qualification results, with Sheetal and Payal positioned to continue their campaign in the compound events.

The shooting competition remains another important focus following Mona’s gold and Avani’s silver. Their performances provide a positive foundation for the country’s remaining shooting events.

The Indian contingent will be aiming to sustain its momentum as the Games move through their opening stages and more medal decisions take place.
Beyond medals: Building opportunities for para-athletes
International events such as the Asian Para Games offer athletes an opportunity to demonstrate their abilities while increasing public awareness of disability sport.

The visibility of medal-winning performances can help challenge stereotypes about disability and highlight the importance of accessible sporting facilities, specialist coaching and long-term athlete development.

India’s achievements in shooting and archery also show that para sports encompass a wide range of technical and physical demands. Precision shooting requires extraordinary concentration and repeatable technique, while compound archery combines accuracy with control over equipment and performance under competitive pressure.

Both disciplines reward consistency, making record-setting qualification rounds and closely contested finals significant indicators of sporting progress.

For national sporting administrators, the challenge is to ensure that successful athletes receive continued support after major competitions. Access to training facilities, sports science, equipment and international exposure can help competitors sustain their performance over several seasons.

The achievements of Mona, Avani and Sheetal offer examples of what can be accomplished through sustained preparation and competition at the highest level.

Their results also provide a focal point for India’s campaign, giving supporters reason to follow events beyond the most widely covered mainstream sports.
India look to build on encouraging opening results
The first major results of the Asian Para Games have given India a strong platform from which to pursue further medals.

Mona’s victory and Avani’s runner-up finish delivered an emphatic result in the women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 event, while Sheetal’s record-equalling performance in compound archery strengthened the country’s position in another discipline.

The achievements reflect individual excellence as well as the wider depth of India’s para-sporting talent.

For Mona, the gold medal represents a major step forward after her sixth-place finish at the previous edition. Avani’s silver continues her record of international success, and Sheetal’s qualification score places her in contention for further honours.

The coming days will test India’s ability to maintain this standard across a demanding schedule. Several medal events remain, and the final standings will depend on performances throughout the competition.

Nevertheless, Monday’s results have delivered an encouraging message for the Indian team: its athletes are capable of competing at the highest level, setting records and securing podium finishes against strong international opposition.

As the Games continue, the focus will shift to converting promising qualifications into additional medals and maintaining consistency across the different sporting disciplines.

For now, the Indian shooters’ one-two finish and Sheetal’s exceptional archery score have provided a memorable opening to the country’s campaign in Aichi-Nagoya.