Mona Agarwal Wins Gold, Avani Lekhara Takes Silver

Indian para-shooters Mona Agarwal and Avani Lekhara delivered a spectacular performance at the 2026 Para Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, securing India’s first medals of the competition with a memorable gold-and-silver finish in the women’s 10m air rifle event.

Mona claimed the gold medal with an impressive score of 250, while compatriot Avani secured silver with 249.6. The result marked a significant achievement for the Indian contingent on the opening day of the Games, with both athletes demonstrating remarkable precision, concentration and composure under pressure.

Mona’s victory was particularly noteworthy because it represented a major improvement from her sixth-place finish at the 2022 Asian Para Games. She also established a new Asian Para Games record with her winning score, surpassing the previous record of 249.6 held by Avani.

The Indian shooters also demonstrated their strength during the qualification round. Mona finished at the top with 629.1 points, setting an Asian Para Games qualification record, while Avani qualified in second place. Their outstanding performances in the qualification stage translated into a thrilling final, where the two Indian athletes secured the top two positions.

The double podium finish provided India with an encouraging start to its 2026 Para Asian Games campaign and highlighted the country’s growing strength in international para-shooting.

Mona Agarwal Wins Gold With Record-Breaking Performance

Mona Agarwal produced an exceptional performance to win the gold medal in the women’s 10m air rifle event. Her final score of 250 demonstrated the consistency and technical precision required to prevail against a strong international field.

Her victory also established a new Asian Para Games record, improving on Avani Lekhara’s previous mark of 249.6. The achievement underlined Mona’s ability to perform at her best on a major international stage.

The gold medal was especially meaningful given Mona’s progress since the previous edition of the Asian Para Games in 2022, where she finished sixth. Four years later, she climbed to the top of the podium, demonstrating how determination, focused training and competitive experience can transform an athlete’s performance.

Mona’s achievement also reflects her rapid development in para-shooting. Although she began competitive rifle shooting only in December 2021, she quickly established herself as one of India’s promising para-athletes through strong performances at national and international competitions.

Her success at the 2026 Para Asian Games adds another major milestone to a career that has already included a Paralympic medal, international World Cup victories and national recognition for her sporting achievements.

Avani Lekhara Adds Silver to India’s Medal Tally

Avani Lekhara continued her impressive international career by winning the silver medal with a score of 249.6. Although she narrowly missed out on gold, her performance secured India’s second medal of the competition and completed a memorable one-two finish for the country.

Avani entered the final after finishing second in qualification behind Mona. Her qualification performance demonstrated the consistency that has made her one of India’s leading para-shooters.

The silver medal adds to Avani’s growing list of achievements in international shooting. She has previously won major medals at the Paralympic Games and established herself as an important figure in Indian para-sport.

Her performance against Mona also highlighted the depth of India’s talent in the women’s 10m air rifle event. With both athletes occupying the top two positions, India demonstrated its ability to compete for the highest honours in international para-shooting.

For Avani, the result represents another significant achievement in a sporting journey defined by resilience, discipline and a commitment to excellence. Her continued success also helps inspire aspiring para-athletes across the country.

Who Is Mona Agarwal? India’s Record-Breaking Para-Shooter

Mona Agarwal is an Indian para-shooting athlete from Sikar, Rajasthan. Born on November 8, 1987, she developed into an accomplished international competitor despite facing significant physical challenges from an early age.

Mona contracted polio when she was nine months old, affecting both her lower limbs. However, her physical limitations did not prevent her from pursuing sporting ambitions. Before discovering competitive shooting, she explored several other disciplines, including para-athletics, para-powerlifting and sitting volleyball.

Her involvement in sitting volleyball was particularly notable. In 2019, Mona captained Rajasthan’s women’s team to victory at the inaugural National Sitting Volleyball Championship. The achievement reflected her leadership qualities and commitment to developing her sporting career across different disciplines.

She eventually found her strongest competitive path in para-shooting, a sport that demands exceptional concentration, precision, discipline and emotional control.

Mona Agarwal’s Journey From National Competitions to International Success

Mona began competitive rifle shooting in December 2021 and quickly made progress. Her early results indicated that she had the potential to become a serious contender at the national and international levels.

In 2022, she won a silver medal at the national level, marking an important step in her development as a para-shooter. The following year, she expanded her international experience by competing at the World Shooting Para Sport World Cup.

At the 2023 World Cup in Osijek, Croatia, Mona won a bronze medal in the mixed team event. She also secured gold in the women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 event at the World Cup in Changwon, South Korea, in 2023.

These results helped establish her reputation as a rising talent in Indian para-shooting. Her ability to perform consistently across different competitions demonstrated that her progress was the result of sustained effort rather than a single standout performance.

Mona’s breakthrough continued in March 2024 at the World Shooting Para Sport World Cup in New Delhi. She won gold in the women’s 10m air rifle SH1 event with a score of 250.7, setting an Asian record and securing a Paralympic quota place for India.

She also won silver in the mixed team 10m air rifle event at the same World Cup, further strengthening her international credentials.

Mona Agarwal Wins Bronze at Paris 2024 Paralympics

One of the defining moments in Mona’s career came at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, where she won the bronze medal in the women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 event.

The medal represented a major milestone for an athlete who had entered competitive shooting only a few years earlier. Her performance on the Paralympic stage confirmed her ability to compete among the world’s best para-shooters.

Winning a Paralympic medal also helped bring greater attention to Mona’s journey and the growing competitiveness of India’s para-shooting programme. Her achievements have demonstrated that athletes can make rapid progress through dedication, preparation and the right competitive opportunities.

In recognition of her contribution to Indian sport, Mona received the Arjuna Award in 2024. The honour acknowledged her accomplishments and her impact on the country’s sporting community.

A mother of two, Mona has also balanced family responsibilities with the demands of elite-level competition. Her journey provides an example of perseverance and determination for athletes who are working to overcome personal and professional challenges.

Who Is Avani Lekhara? India’s Paralympic Shooting Champion

Avani Lekhara is one of India’s most celebrated para-shooters and a prominent figure in the country’s Paralympic movement. Her journey into shooting began after a life-changing accident in 2012, when she sustained a spinal cord injury at the age of 10.

During her recovery, Avani’s father encouraged her to explore sports as a way to rebuild confidence and discover new opportunities. Shooting eventually became a central part of her life, offering her a competitive outlet and helping her develop the mental discipline required for elite sport.

Avani has explained that shooting helped her become more confident and comfortable interacting with people. What initially began as an activity during her recovery gradually developed into a serious sporting pursuit.

Her journey demonstrates how sport can provide opportunities for personal growth while allowing athletes to compete at the highest international level.

How Avani Lekhara Discovered Her Passion for Shooting

Avani began shooting in 2015 after being inspired by A Shot at History, the autobiography of Olympic shooting champion Abhinav Bindra. She initially tried the sport as a hobby during her summer vacation, but soon discovered a natural interest in it.

As her experience grew, she developed the technical skills, concentration and emotional control needed to compete internationally. Shooting requires athletes to maintain precision under pressure, and Avani’s ability to combine physical preparation with mental focus became an important part of her development.

Her progress eventually took her from introductory training sessions to the biggest competitions in para-sport. She became known for her composure in high-pressure situations and her ability to deliver strong performances on the international stage.

Alongside her sporting career, Avani pursued a five-year law degree at the University of Rajasthan. Balancing higher education with the demands of training and international competition required considerable discipline and careful time management.

Her achievements have also made her a prominent advocate for greater accessibility and inclusion in sport. Through her performances and public profile, she has helped highlight the importance of creating opportunities for athletes with disabilities.

Avani Lekhara’s Historic Achievements at the Paralympic Games

Avani’s international reputation grew significantly through her performances at the Paralympic Games, where she established herself as one of India’s leading shooting athletes.

Her success at major international competitions has helped raise the profile of para-shooting in India and inspired a new generation of athletes to explore competitive sport. Her ability to overcome adversity and maintain a high level of performance has made her journey particularly influential.

The silver medal at the 2026 Para Asian Games adds another achievement to her career. Although she finished just behind Mona in the final, Avani once again demonstrated that she belongs among the leading competitors in her discipline.

The result also illustrates the competitive strength of Indian para-shooting. Having two athletes secure the top two positions at a major continental event represents a significant achievement for the country’s sporting programme.

India Makes a Strong Start at the 2026 Para Asian Games

The gold-and-silver finish by Mona Agarwal and Avani Lekhara provided India with an ideal start to its 2026 Para Asian Games campaign in Aichi-Nagoya.

Mona’s record-breaking gold medal and Avani’s silver showcased the country’s strength in para-shooting while highlighting the different journeys that brought the two athletes to the international stage.

Their success is also an encouraging reminder of the importance of supporting athletes with disabilities through accessible training facilities, professional coaching and opportunities to compete internationally.

Both shooters have demonstrated that determination and consistent preparation can lead to extraordinary results. Mona’s rise from a multi-sport background to Paralympic and continental success is particularly striking, while Avani’s journey continues to inspire through her resilience and achievements.

The opening-day medals give India a positive foundation for the remainder of the Games. As the competition progresses, the performances of Mona and Avani will remain an important highlight for the Indian contingent and its supporters.

Conclusion

Mona Agarwal and Avani Lekhara delivered a memorable performance at the 2026 Para Asian Games, winning India’s first medals with a gold-and-silver finish in the women’s 10m air rifle event. Mona claimed gold with a record-breaking score of 250, while Avani earned silver with 249.6.

The result reflects years of dedication from both athletes. Mona’s rapid rise in para-shooting, her bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympics and her latest continental gold underline her remarkable progress. Avani’s continued success adds to an already impressive career and reinforces her position among India’s leading para-athletes.

Their achievements have given India a strong start at the Games and highlighted the country’s growing presence in international para-sport. Beyond the medals, both athletes offer powerful examples of resilience, determination and the ability to turn challenges into opportunities.