Indian para shooters Mona Agarwal and Avani Lekhara delivered a stellar performance to secure a memorable 1-2 finish in the women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 final at the 2026 Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya on Monday. Mona clinched the gold medal with a record-breaking performance, while compatriot Avani secured the silver to hand India a flying start to their medal campaign at the continental multi-sport event.
Record-Breaking Shooting Triumph
Mona Agarwal dominated the final series to claim the top step of the podium, registering an outstanding score of 250.0 points after the seventh series. In the process, she established a new Asian Para Games record, surpassing the previous benchmark of 249.6 set by fellow Indian shooter Avani Lekhara during the 2023 Hangzhou Games. Avani herself put up a stellar fight, sealing the silver medal with a score of 249.6 following a tense qualification and final round battle. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in congratulating both athletes, praising their precision, determination, and composure on the opening day of the tournament.
- Mona Agarwal won gold with a score of 250.0 in the women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 final.
- Avani Lekhara claimed the silver medal with a strong score of 249.6.
- Mona broke Avani’s previous Asian Para Games record set in Hangzhou.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated both shooters for their historic 1-2 finish.
Qualification Dominance and Men’s Event Context
Earlier in the preliminary rounds, Mona Agarwal also topped the qualification phase with a continental record score of 629.1 after six series, narrowly missing the world record jointly held by Avani and Slovakia’s Veronika Vadovicova. Avani finished right behind her compatriot in the qualifications with a total score of 626.4. Meanwhile, the men’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 final saw Mahavir Swaroop Unhalkar finish fourth with 205.9 points, and debutant Rakesh Nidagundi finish seventh as the Indian shooting contingent continued its strong run at the Games.
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