Mona Agarwal and Avani Lekhara Win India's First Medals at Para Asian Games

Rifle shooters Mona Agarwal and Avani Lekhara won India's first medals at the Para Asian Games in Aichi Nagoya with a one-two finish on the opening day of the event.

Medal Details

Mona claimed the gold medal with a score of 250, which set a new Asian Para Games record. Avani secured the silver medal with a score of 249.6, finishing just behind Mona. During the qualification phase, Mona had already set an Asian Para Games Qualification Record with a score of 629.1, while Avani placed second.

Athlete Backgrounds

Mona Agarwal is a para-shooting athlete from Sikar, Rajasthan, who contracted polio at nine months of age. Before focusing on shooting, she competed in para-athletics, para-powerlifting, and captained Rajasthan's team to gold at the National Sitting Volleyball Championship. She started competitive rifle shooting in December 2021 and won the Arjuna Award in 2024. Avani Lekhara sustained a spinal cord injury in a 2012 car accident at age ten and began shooting in 2015 after being inspired by Abhinav Bindra's autobiography. She also completed a five-year law degree at the University of Rajasthan.

Context

Para sports events provide an international platform for athletes with disabilities to compete at the highest level and showcase their athletic skills. India has seen a steady rise in the performance and medal counts of its para-athletes across major global and regional competitions in recent years.