Indian para shooters Mona Agarwal and Avani Lekhara won gold and silver medals in the women's 10m air rifle standing SH1 event at the 2026 Asian Para Games. Mona was the gold medalist with a record score of 250.0 points and Avani was silver with 249.6 points.
The Indian team finished first and second in the event on Monday, October 19, 2026, and started with a strong start to its medal campaign at the Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
Mona Agarwal Sets A New Asian Para Games Record
Mona Agarwal had a great performance in the final to win the gold medal. A total of 250.0 points set a new record at the Asian Para Games, defeating the previous mark of 249.6.
The race was close until the final round. Mona had a slim lead of 0.1 points over Avani prior to the final shots, and she maintained her composure under pressure to finish ahead of her fellow teammate by 0.4 points.
Mona’s achievement is particularly significant considering that she achieved bronze in the 2024 Paris Paralympics. The Rajasthan-based shooter has become one of India’s best para-athletes in terms of international performance.
She also was the leading candidate in qualification with 629.1 points, setting a new Asian Para Games qualification record and strengthening her position ahead of the final.
Avani Lekhara Claims Silver Medal
Avani Lekhara took a step further in her impressive shooting career and won silver with 249.6 points.
Avani is a two-time Paralympic gold medallist who came into the competition with a strong reputation and battled Mona throughout the final. She didn’t quite win the gold medal but secured a one-two finish for India.
Avani had previously held the Asian Para Games final record with 249.6 points. Her latest silver medal is also another strong point of consistency in international competitions.
The medal also reflects India’s growing presence in para shooting, where Indian athletes have achieved considerable success at the Paralympic and international levels.
𝑨𝒔𝒊𝒂𝒏 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒂 𝑮𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒔 2026 || 𝑴𝒐𝒏𝒂 𝑨𝒈𝒂𝒓𝒘𝒂𝒍🥇 𝑨𝒗𝒂𝒏𝒊 𝑳𝒆𝒌𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂🥈 India’s #MonaAgarwal wins gold with a Games record; #AvaniLekhara takes silver in Women’s 10m Air Rifle SH1 at the Asian Para Games 2026. #AsianParaGames2026 #Cheer4Bharat #AsianParaGames
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) October 19, 2026
What is the SH1 Shooting Category?
The SH1 classification is used in para shooting for athletes with lower-limb impairments and some other impairments that do not require a rifle support. Competitors rely on their individual shooting skills, concentration, and control to get the highest possible scores.
The women’s 10m air rifle standing event tests precision and composure, and athletes try to be accurate in these situations.
India Begins Asian Para Games Campaign on a High
Mona and Avani’s success provided India’s starting point for the 2026 Asian Para Games. The gold-and-silver finish showcased the depth of Indian talent in para shooting and offered fans another reason to celebrate the country’s athletes.
With the competition continuing, India will build on this momentum in other sports as well. Mona’s record-setting gold is another great achievement in her career, and Avani’s silver further strengthens her status as one of the world’s top para shooters.
The result is a proud moment for Indian sport and a reminder of the determination, skill, and consistency displayed by the country’s para-athletes on the international stage.
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