Mona Agarwal Wins Gold at 38, Honors Grandmother

At 38, Mona Agarwal has turned a lifetime of challenges into an extraordinary sporting achievement, winning gold in the women’s 10-metre air rifle standing event at the Para Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan. A mother of two who contracted polio at just nine months old, Mona overcame physical setbacks, family responsibilities and a difficult transition between sports to reach the top of the podium.

Her victory was particularly special because she defeated India’s celebrated para-shooter Avani Lekhara, a two-time Paralympic champion, in a thrilling final. Mona finished with a score of 250.0, setting a new Para Asian Games record and edging out Avani, who scored 249.6 to claim silver.

But for Mona, the gold medal represented much more than a sporting triumph. It was a tribute to her paternal grandmother, Geeta Devi, whose faith in her abilities helped shape her life. Although her grandmother passed away 15 years ago, Mona continues to draw inspiration from the encouragement and support she received during her childhood.

Speaking to The Indian Express after her victory, Mona dedicated the medal to the woman who believed in her when her future seemed uncertain.

“Being born as a third daughter and then contracting polio at the age of nine months… I have heard that my parents were worried about how they would manage things. But then my grandmother said she would support my upbringing. She told me that only my willpower will help me cross all hurdles. I dedicate this medal to her,” Mona said.

Her journey from a childhood marked by physical challenges to becoming a Para Asian Games champion is a story of determination, family support and the power of refusing to give up.

Grandmother Geeta Devi’s Faith Became Mona’s Foundation

Mona was born into a family in Sikar, Rajasthan. Her father, Prem Chand Agarwal, runs a hardware business, while her mother is a homemaker. As the third daughter in the family, Mona’s birth came at a time when her parents were already concerned about the challenges ahead. Those worries deepened when she contracted polio at just nine months old.

The diagnosis changed the family’s circumstances and raised questions about how best to support her future. According to her father, doctors attempted to improve her condition through treatment, including four operations, but the procedures did not bring the hoped-for improvement.

Prem Chand recalled the difficult period when the family was trying to understand what Mona’s condition would mean for her life. He said one doctor had offered to take responsibility for her care, but the family declined that offer and continued trying to find ways to help her.

“The doctor back then said he was ready to take care of Mona. But we declined. We got her operated on four times, but her condition did not improve. She has reached these heights with her hard work and willpower,” her father said.

Through those uncertain years, Geeta Devi became a crucial source of support. She helped guide Mona’s upbringing and contributed from her own savings, ensuring that the young girl had the backing she needed.

More importantly, her grandmother instilled in her a belief that determination could help her overcome obstacles. That message stayed with Mona long after Geeta Devi’s death, becoming a source of motivation throughout her sporting journey.

Her gold medal in Japan was therefore not simply a reward for years of training. It was also a way of honouring a promise of faith made during a difficult chapter of her childhood.

From Para Athletics to Shooting: A Life-Changing Decision

Before becoming a shooting champion, Mona competed in para athletics, taking part in events such as discus, shot put and javelin. Her transition to shooting came about through an unexpected change in her family’s circumstances.

Her husband, Ravindra Chaudhary, is a former wheelchair basketball player who has supported her sporting ambitions. However, a motorcycle accident approximately five years ago left him with a minor brain injury, creating new challenges for the family.

At the time, Mona’s son was only two months old. Her husband’s condition made travelling long distances for training increasingly difficult, forcing her to reconsider how she could continue pursuing competitive sport while managing responsibilities at home.

Fortunately, a shooting academy was located less than a kilometre from their house. Mona saw an opportunity to continue training without having to travel far, and she decided to try shooting.

She explained that the decision was shaped by necessity as much as sporting ambition. The nearby academy offered a practical solution to the challenges she faced, although learning the new discipline brought its own physical demands.

“My husband has always supported me in pursuing sports. When my son was two months old, my husband suffered a minor brain injury in a bike accident. I could not go far for training as he could not travel. As the shooting academy was less than a kilometre from our home, I thought of starting shooting. The initial challenge was to sustain the weight of the rifle,” Mona said.

What began as a practical adjustment eventually became a turning point in her career. Mona adapted to the technical and physical requirements of shooting, gradually developing the skills that would take her to the international stage.

Her experience demonstrates how an unexpected setback can sometimes open a different path. Rather than abandoning sport when her circumstances changed, she found a discipline that allowed her to continue competing.

Motherhood, Family Responsibilities and Sporting Success

Mona’s achievements have come alongside the responsibilities of raising two young children. She is the mother of seven-year-old Aarvi and five-year-old Avik, and balancing family life with elite-level training requires support from those around her.

She has credited her mother-in-law, Brahma Devi, with playing an essential role in making her sporting career possible. Brahma Devi helps care for the children while also looking after her husband, who is suffering from intestinal cancer.

That support allows Mona to travel for competitions, dedicate time to training and prepare for major international events. She recognises that her achievements are not the result of individual effort alone, but also reflect the sacrifices made by family members who help manage responsibilities at home.

“My father-in-law is suffering from intestinal cancer. My mother-in-law takes care of him and my children too. Because of all the support, I am able to travel, train and win medals for India,” Mona said.

Her story highlights the often-unseen work behind elite para-sport. Athletes must manage demanding training schedules and physical challenges, while family members frequently provide the practical support that makes international competition possible.

For Mona, the encouragement she received from her grandmother in childhood and the assistance she receives from her family today have both been central to her progress.

Paris Paralympics Bronze Medal Marked Her Rise

Mona’s gold medal in Nagoya was another milestone in a remarkable rise through the international shooting ranks. Her progress has been especially notable given that she moved into the sport after years of competing in para athletics.

At the 2024 Paris Paralympics, Mona won a bronze medal in shooting. That achievement placed her among India’s leading para-shooters and demonstrated that she could compete successfully against the world’s best athletes.

Avani Lekhara also enjoyed a memorable campaign in Paris, winning her second Paralympic gold medal. The two Indian shooters have since developed a competitive relationship that Mona believes helps both athletes improve.

Their rivalry is built on mutual respect rather than hostility. Each pushes the other to perform better, creating a competitive environment in which both can aim for the podium.

Winning the Para Asian Games gold ahead of Avani was therefore a significant achievement for Mona. It demonstrated her ability to deliver under pressure against an opponent with an outstanding international record.

Mona Agarwal Overcomes Spinal Nerve Damage to Win Gold

Mona’s latest triumph was made even more impressive by a recent physical setback. She revealed that she had suffered nerve damage in her spine because of the prolonged sitting position associated with her shooting routine.

The problem threatened to complicate her preparations, requiring her to devote time to rehabilitation and strengthening exercises. She also worked on correcting her posture and adjusting her shooting technique to accommodate the physical changes.

These adjustments were particularly important in a precision sport such as shooting, where posture, stability and repeatable technique can influence performance. Any physical discomfort or change in positioning can require an athlete to reassess how they approach each shot.

Rather than allowing the setback to derail her preparation, Mona worked through rehabilitation and technical adjustments before competing in Japan.

“I suffered nerve damage in my spine due to the constant sitting position, but then I would spend time on rehab as well, strengthening to correct the posture as well as re-adjust the shooting technique,” she said.

Her experience highlights the physical demands that para-athletes can face even in sports that may appear relatively static to spectators. Maintaining the correct position over extended periods requires strength, conditioning and careful attention to the body’s needs.

Mona’s ability to overcome the problem and deliver a record-setting performance made the victory especially meaningful. She had to manage not only the pressure of a major international final but also the consequences of an injury that required ongoing attention.

Comeback in the Final: How Mona Beat Avani Lekhara

Mona’s gold-medal performance was not a straightforward march to victory. She began the competition strongly, topping the qualification round with a score of 629.1, setting a new Para Asian Games qualification record.

However, the final proved much more challenging. After the second series, Mona was sitting in sixth place, leaving her with significant ground to make up as the competition progressed.

She responded by gradually improving her position during the elimination series, moving into the top three and putting herself back into contention for a medal. As the field narrowed, the contest became increasingly tense, with several shooters remaining capable of winning.

The decisive moment arrived in the final elimination series, when Mona edged out Avani by a narrow margin. Mona finished with 250.0 points, while Avani recorded 249.6.

The difference of just 0.4 points separated the two Indian athletes in a closely fought final. Mona’s late surge secured the gold medal and established a new Games record for the event.

The result also gave India its first medals of this edition of the Para Asian Games, with the country earning both gold and silver in the event. The double podium finish provided an encouraging start to India’s campaign as it sought to match its total of 108 medals from the previous edition three years earlier.

Avani Lekhara Praises Their Competitive Partnership

Although Avani missed out on gold, she acknowledged the high standard of the final and the role that competition with Mona plays in bringing out her best performances.

Avani described the contest as closely fought, noting that the leading shooters had opportunities to win at different stages. She also expressed satisfaction at earning silver for India and securing a Los Angeles Paralympics quota place for the country, as stated in the supplied report.

“It was a very competitive and close final where the top five shooters at different stages could have won. Mona and I push each other; we inspire each other to do better. I am happy to win silver for India and win a Los Angeles Paralympics quota place for the country too,” Avani said.

Mona shares that view of their relationship. She recognises Avani’s experience and achievements while emphasising that both athletes continue to learn from one another.

“Avani is a senior, but both of us learn a lot from each other. And to get 1-2 podium places for India is special for us,” Mona said.

Their performances offered a powerful demonstration of India’s strength in para-shooting. The gold and silver finish reflected the quality of the country’s athletes while showing how healthy competition can encourage both competitors to raise their standards.

A Gold Medal Dedicated to the Woman Who Believed in Her

For all the records and medals Mona has accumulated, her grandmother’s influence remains one of the most important parts of her story. Geeta Devi supported her when she was young, helped fund her upbringing and encouraged her to face life’s obstacles with determination.

That faith continued to guide Mona through years of physical challenges, changes in sporting direction, family responsibilities and the demands of elite competition. Her decision to dedicate the Para Asian Games gold to her grandmother reflected the enduring importance of that early encouragement.

At 38, Mona has shown that sporting achievement does not have to follow a conventional timeline. Her path to international success included a transition from para athletics to shooting, a return from spinal nerve damage and the challenge of balancing motherhood with training and competition.

Her victory over Avani Lekhara in Nagoya adds another major achievement to a career that already includes a Paralympic bronze medal. Yet the personal meaning of the gold may be even greater than the result itself.

By remembering the woman who stood beside her in childhood, Mona has connected her latest triumph to the support that helped make it possible. Her story is one of perseverance, family and the belief that determination can help overcome formidable obstacles.

As India continues its Para Asian Games campaign, Mona Agarwal’s record-setting gold stands as both a sporting milestone and a tribute to the people who helped her reach the top. Her journey sends a clear message: setbacks can change the course of a life, but they do not have to determine its limits.