Mona Agarwal won gold in the women's 10m air rifle standing SH1 event. (Image credit: X)
NEW DELHI: Mona Agarwal made a strong start to India's campaign at the 2026 Asian Para Games by winning gold in the women's 10m air rifle standing SH1 event on Monday. She finished ahead of fellow Indian shooter Avani Lekhara, who took silver, to give India a memorable one-two finish.Mona scored 250.0 points in the final at the Aichi Prefectural General Shooting Gallery to set a new Asian Para Games record. She broke the previous record of 249.6 points, set by Avani at the 2022 Hangzhou Games.
The final was closely contested, with Mona holding a narrow lead of 239.2 points against Avani's 239.1 before the final shots. Mona eventually finished with 250.0 points, while Avani ended with 249.6. South Korea's Yunri Lee won the bronze medal.
The gold medal adds to Mona's growing list of achievements in para shooting and highlights her rise among India's leading rifle shooters.
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Mona Agarwal is an Indian para shooter from Jaipur, Rajasthan. Born on August 11, 1987, she competes in the SH1 category in rifle shooting.She trains in Jaipur under coach Yogesh Kumar and competes in the women's 10m air rifle standing SH1 and women's 50m rifle three positions SH1 events.
Mona has built her career through consistent performances at national and international competitions. Her success at the Asian Para Games is another major achievement in a career that has seen her compete against some of the world's best para shooters.Mona reached a major milestone at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, where she won bronze in the women's 10m air rifle standing SH1 event.The medal brought her international recognition and established her as one of India's leading para rifle shooters.At the Paris Games, she competed in the same event in which she has now won gold at the Asian Para Games. Her latest performance shows her ability to compete at the highest level and challenge experienced shooters.Mona continued her good form in the lead-up to the 2026 Asian Para Games.At the 2026 World Shooting Para Sport Championships in Changwon, South Korea, she won one gold and one silver medal. She also secured a quota place for India for the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.
Her achievements at World Cup events include two gold, two silver and one bronze medal, adding to her experience at international competitions.These results have helped Mona establish herself as an important member of India's para shooting team.
What is the SH1 category in para shooting?
SH1 is a classification for para shooters who have lower limb impairments or impairments that do not require them to use a shooting stand to support the rifle.Athletes in this category can compete in rifle or pistol events, depending on their classification.
In the women's 10m air rifle standing SH1 event, shooters aim at a target from a distance of 10 metres.The competition demands accuracy, concentration and control, with every shot playing an important role in deciding the final standings.
Mona Agarwal's achievements
- : Gold medal in women's 10m air rifle standing SH1, with a Games record of 250.0 points.
- Paris Paralympics 2024: Bronze medal in women's 10m air rifle standing SH1.
- World Shooting Para Sport Championships 2026: One gold and one silver medal in Changwon, South Korea.
- Los Angeles 2028 Paralympics: Secured a quota place for India at the 2026 World Championships.
- World Cup events: Two gold, two silver and one bronze medal.
Mona's Asian Para Games gold is another important step in her career. By setting a new Games record and finishing ahead of Avani Lekhara, she has added another major achievement to her growing list of successes in para shooting.