New Delhi: India made a strong start to its Asian Para Games 2026 campaign, with Mona Agarwal winning gold and Avani Lekhara claiming silver in the women’s 10m air rifle SH1 final. The historic one-two finish highlighted an impressive opening day for the Indian contingent.
Mona produced a winning performance in the final, while Paralympic champion Avani secured the silver medal to complete a memorable result for India in the shooting competition.
Earlier, Indian para-archer Sheetal Devi delivered another outstanding performance by equalling the world record and setting a new Asian record in the women’s compound qualification round. She scored 704 out of 720, surpassing the previous Asian record by six points and underlining her status as one of India’s leading para-archery talents.
India also came close to securing a podium finish in the men’s 10m air rifle event, where Swaroop Unhalkar finished fourth. Rakesh Nidagundi also represented India in the competition.
In judo, Kokila assured India of a medal after reaching the final of the women’s under-52kg category. Her progress added to the growing list of encouraging performances from Indian athletes on the opening day.
The Indian contingent also began its campaign across para-athletics, para-swimming and para-powerlifting, with several prominent athletes in action. Paralympic medallists Nishad Kumar and Ajeet Singh Yadav, along with world champion Rinku Hooda, are among the key names leading India’s track and field challenge.
In para-archery, Sheetal was joined by fellow Indian archers Harvinder Singh and Payal Nag as the country looked to build on its strong start.
The opening-day performances have given India early momentum at the continental event, with medals in shooting, a record-equalling display in archery and a confirmed medal in judo providing plenty of encouragement for the days ahead.
