India has made a strong start at the 2026 Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, Mona Agarwal won the gold medal in the women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 event, while Avani Lekhara secured the silver medal.
Agrawal secured the top spot in the qualification round with 629.1 points. She set a new Asian Para Games record and finishing just 0.3 points short of the world record of 629.4. Lekhara placed second in the qualification round with 626.4 points.
In the final, Agarwal won the gold medal with 250.0 points, while Lekhara secured the silver medal with 249.6 points securing a one-two finish for India in the event.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also acknowledged the shooters’ accomplishments, extending his congratulations to both athletes for their medal-winning performances. He praised Agarwal’s record-breaking performance and commended Lekhara for her consistency and determination. The Prime Minister’s Office shared these congratulatory messages on ‘X’.
India also secured two berths in the final of the men’s 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 event. Rakesh Nidagundi finished seventh in the qualification round with a score of 619.3, while Swaroop Unhalkar placed eighth with 617.4 points. Anandha Krishnan finished 13th with 605.2 points and missed the final.
India’s impressive showing in shooting marked a promising beginning to its campaign at the continental para-sports event.
