Asian Para Games 2026: Mona Agarwal claims gold and Avani Lekhara takes silver in shooting

Mona Agarwal and Avani Lekhara open India's medal count with a first-ever gold-silver finish in shooting at the 2026 Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

Mona Agarwal became the second Indian female shooter to win gold at the Para Asiad, winning the women's 10m air rifle standing SH1 title with a new Games record of 250.0.

Meanwhile, defending champion Avani Lekhara, who was leading the final till 19/24 shots, had to settle for a silver medal with 249.6 and complete a double podium for India.

Avani Lekhara has also secured India’s second quota place in this event for the LA 2028 Paralympics, after Mona Agarwal earned the first at last month’s World Championships.

Meanwhile, India’s wait for a medal in the men’s 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 continues. Swaroop Unhalkar finished just off the podium in fourth place in the final, while Rakesh Nidagundi placed seventh.

Both had qualified for the final as the last two entrants but were unable to convert their places into medals.