Rajnath Singh Hails Mona, Avani's Gold-Silver at Asian Para Games
Synopsis
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh celebrated India's podium sweep in the Women's 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 at the Asian Para Games, with Mona Agarwal taking gold and Avani Lekhara — the Tokyo Paralympics champion — claiming silver on the opening day of competition.
Key Takeaways
Mona Agarwal won gold in the Women's 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 event at the Asian Para Games .
Avani Lekhara , Tokyo Paralympics gold medallist in the same discipline, secured the silver medal.
India recorded a one-two podium finish in a single shooting final — a significant continental achievement.
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh publicly congratulated both athletes by name on October 19, 2026 .
The result continues India's pattern of increasing medal hauls in para shooting at major multi-sport events.
India's para shooters fired their way to the top of the podium on Monday, October 19, as Mona Agarwal claimed gold and Avani Lekhara secured silver in the Women's 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 event at the Asian Para Games — a one-two finish that drew an immediate tribute from Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
Singh posted on X: 'India begins its Asian Para Games campaign on a proud note, with Mona Agarwal winning Gold and Avani Lekhara securing Silver in the Women's 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 event. Congratulations to both champions on their outstanding achievements. Their performances are a source of immense pride for the nation.'
Mona Agarwal's Gold and Avani Lekhara's Silver in the SH1 Rifle Final
The SH1 classification covers athletes who can support the weight of a firearm with their arms — a category that demands exceptional steadiness and focus. Mona Agarwal topped the field, with Avani Lekhara finishing right behind her in silver position. An Indian one-two in a single shooting final at a major continental para event is a rare and significant haul.
Avani Lekhara is one of Indian para sport's most decorated names — a Tokyo Paralympics gold medallist in the same discipline who transformed public awareness of para shooting in India. Her presence on the podium, even in silver, underlines the depth that Indian para shooting now carries in this event.
India's Rising Arc in Para Shooting
This result is not an isolated flash. India has recorded steadily growing medal tallies in para shooting at both continental and global competitions over recent cycles. The sport has benefited from structured government support and the high-profile visibility that athletes like Lekhara have generated since Tokyo 2021. The Asian Para Games campaign opening with a one-two finish signals that the momentum has not slowed.
For para sport advocates, the broader ask has always been consistent: infrastructure, classification support, and recognition that mirrors the spotlight given to Olympic disciplines. A Defence Minister publicly celebrating individual para athletes — by name, on a national platform — is a small but visible part of that recognition architecture.
With more events still ahead in the Indian team's Asian Para Games programme, Monday's gold and silver set a sharp benchmark — and the pressure on the rest of the squad to match it has never been higher.
Point of View
Or whether it remains at the level of congratulatory social-media diplomacy.
NationPress
19 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mona Agarwal?
Mona Agarwal is an Indian para shooter who won gold in the Women's 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 event at the Asian Para Games, marking a major achievement in her international career.
What did Avani Lekhara win at the Asian Para Games?
Avani Lekhara won the silver medal in the Women's 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 event at the Asian Para Games. She is already a Tokyo Paralympics gold medallist in the same discipline.
What is the SH1 classification in para shooting?
SH1 is a para shooting classification for athletes who have the arm function required to support the weight of their firearm, typically covering those with lower-limb or spinal impairments.
Why did Rajnath Singh comment on the Asian Para Games result?
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is a senior government figure who routinely marks significant sporting achievements on social media. His post specifically celebrated the gold and silver won by Indian para shooters on the opening day of competition.
How is India performing in para shooting at international events?
India has recorded a growing medal tally in para shooting across continental and global competitions over recent cycles, with athletes like Avani Lekhara raising the profile of the discipline significantly since the Tokyo Paralympics.
