India made a strong start at the 2026 Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, as shooters Mona Agarwal and Avani Lekhara secured a memorable gold-and-silver finish in the women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 event on October 19.

Mona Agarwal clinched the gold medal with an impressive score of 250.0 points, setting a new Asian Para Games record in the final. Fellow Indian shooter and Paralympic champion Avani Lekhara finished second with 249.6 points, missing the gold by just 0.4 points.

South Korea’s Lee Yunri secured the bronze medal with 227.9 points. The result marked an important early achievement for India, bringing the country its first medals of the competition.

Mona delivered a standout performance in a closely contested final, demonstrating composure and consistency under pressure. Her winning score of 250.0 points established a new record for the women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 final at the Asian Para Games.

Her gold-medal performance was particularly significant given the strength of the competition and the narrow margin separating the two Indian athletes.

Mona had also topped the qualification round earlier in the day with 629.1 points, setting a new Asian Para Games qualification record. Her score surpassed the previous continental Games mark and came just 0.3 points short of the world record of 629.4.

The qualification performance placed her among the leading contenders heading into the final, and she went on to convert that form into a gold medal.

Avani Lekhara continued her impressive international career by winning silver in the same event. Her final score of 249.6 points kept her close to Mona throughout the contest, with only a fraction of a point separating the Indian teammates.

Avani entered the competition with an established reputation in para shooting. She won gold in the women’s 10m air rifle standing event at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, making her one of India’s most successful para athletes.

Although she narrowly missed the top position this time, the silver medal adds another achievement to her growing collection of international honours.

The result also highlights the depth of India’s para-shooting talent, with two Indian athletes occupying the top two positions in a major continental competition.

The women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 event is a precision shooting competition in para sport. It is designed for athletes with lower-limb impairments, or certain impairments affecting their shooting position, who can support the rifle without assistance.

Athletes shoot at a target from a distance of 10 metres, aiming to achieve the highest possible score through accuracy and control. Qualification rounds determine which competitors advance to the final, where the medals are decided.

At this level, small differences in individual shots can determine the outcome. The 0.4-point gap between Mona and Avani underlines how closely matched elite para shooters can be.

The gold and silver medals provide an encouraging start for the Indian contingent at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games. The competition brings together athletes from across Asia in a range of para-sport disciplines, including shooting, archery, athletics and badminton.

India’s opening success in shooting places attention on the country’s wider campaign, with several established athletes and emerging competitors expected to participate throughout the Games.

Beyond the medal tally, performances such as these showcase the skill, preparation and determination required to compete at the highest level of para sport.

Mona Agarwal’s record-breaking qualification and gold-medal performance, combined with Avani Lekhara’s silver, give India valuable momentum for the remaining shooting events.

Both athletes have demonstrated their ability to compete consistently at major international competitions. Their performances in Nagoya also reinforce India’s growing presence in para shooting, a discipline in which the country has achieved notable success at the Paralympic and Asian levels.

For Indian fans, the opening one-two finish is an early highlight of the 2026 Asian Para Games. As the competition continues, attention will turn to other Indian athletes seeking medals across the programme.

Mona Agarwal’s gold and Avani Lekhara’s silver are more than an opening medal result: they are a powerful demonstration of India’s competitive strength in para shooting. Their closely fought final has given the Indian campaign a memorable start in Japan.