Mona Agarwal delivered a stellar performance to claim the gold medal with a Games record, while compatriot Avani Lekhara secured the silver medal in a thrilling women’s 10m air rifle SH1 event to open India’s medal account at the Asian Para Games in Nagoya on Monday. The high-stakes competition witnessed a gripping battle between the two Indian markswomen, culminating in a memorable one-two finish on the podium that set a strong tone for the country’s campaign at the continental multi-sport event.
Dominant Shooting Display
Mona, who previously earned a bronze medal at the Paris Paralympics, put up a masterclass in precision shooting to register a record score of 250.0. She narrowly edged out her celebrated teammate Avani by just 0.4 points in a dramatic finish that went down to the wire. Avani, a decorated two-time Paralympic gold-medallist, fought tenaciously throughout the final series before finally settling for the silver medal with a total score of 249.6. South Korea’s Yunri Lee secured the bronze medal in the same event, but the spotlight firmly remained on the Indian pair.
- Mona Agarwal claimed the gold medal with a Games record score of 250.0 in the women’s 10m air rifle SH1 final.
- Avani Lekhara finished closely behind with 249.6 points to take the silver medal for India.
- The competition went down to the wire, with Mona leading Avani by a razor-thin 0.1 margin before the final shots.
- South Korea’s Yunri Lee rounded off the podium by capturing the bronze medal in the event.
Context and Classification
The SH1 sports shooting classification is specifically designated for athletes with lower limb impairments who are able to support the weight of a firearm effectively. The stellar start by Mona and Avani highlights India’s growing strength and depth in para-shooting on the international stage. As the Asian Para Games progress, the country’s contingent will look to build on this early momentum and convert more podium opportunities across various disciplines.
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