The Impressive TimesNagoya- India opened its medal campaign at the Asian Para Games with a remarkable one-two finish in shooting, as Mona Agarwal clinched gold and Avani Lekhara secured silver in the women’s 10m air rifle SH1 event on Monday.
Mona delivered a record-breaking performance, scoring 250.0 points to claim the top position and establish a new Games record. Avani, one of India’s most accomplished para-shooters, finished narrowly behind with 249.6 points, ensuring both Indian athletes stood on the podium.
The closely fought final remained undecided until the closing shots. Mona held a slender lead of just 0.1 point, standing at 239.2 against Avani’s 239.1 before the final series. She maintained her advantage under pressure to secure the gold medal by a margin of 0.4 points.
South Korea’s Yunri Lee won the bronze medal in the event.
Mona, who won bronze at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, strengthened her international record with the gold-medal performance in Nagoya. Her latest achievement highlights her consistency in a highly competitive field of para-shooters.
Her victory also gave India an early boost in the continental competition, with the national contingent securing both gold and silver in the same event.
Avani, a two-time Paralympic gold medallist, added another major international medal to her collection with silver in Nagoya. Despite missing the top position by a narrow margin, her score of 249.6 underlined the high standard of competition in the final.
The women’s 10m air rifle SH1 category is designed for shooters with lower-limb impairments. The event requires precision, concentration and consistency, particularly during the decisive final shots.
India’s double podium finish offers an encouraging start to its Asian Para Games campaign and highlights the strength of the country’s para-shooting contingent.
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