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From Sikar, Rajasthan, to the Asian Para Games podium, Mona Agarwal’s sporting journey embodies determination and perseverance. (Img: X)
Aichi Nagoya: Mona Agarwal’s triumph at the 2026 Asian Para Games in Nagoya, Japan, is a story of sporting excellence shaped by perseverance, family support and an unwavering belief in her abilities. The 38-year-old Indian para shooter clinched gold in the women’s 10-metre air rifle standing SH1 event on October 19, setting a new Games record with a score of 250.0 points.
Agarwal edged out compatriot and two-time Paralympic champion Avani Lekhara, who secured silver with 249.6 points. Their one-two finish gave India its first medals at the ongoing edition of the continental para-sport competition.
Born in Sikar, Rajasthan, on November 8, 1987, Agarwal contracted polio when she was nine months old, affecting both her legs. She was the third daughter of a family whose circumstances were further tested by the challenges of raising a child with a disability.
Her paternal grandmother, Geeta Devi, played a pivotal role in her upbringing, offering encouragement and financial support from her personal savings. Agarwal has credited her grandmother’s faith in her potential as a lasting source of strength.
After winning gold in Nagoya, the shooter dedicated the achievement to her late grandmother, recalling how she had encouraged her to rely on determination to overcome obstacles. The medal, therefore, carried significance beyond the sporting arena, recognising the person who helped her believe in a future defined by opportunity rather than limitation.
Before establishing herself as an international shooting talent, Agarwal explored several sporting disciplines. She competed in para-athletics, including throwing events such as discus, shot put and javelin, and also took up para-powerlifting.
She made a mark in sitting volleyball as well. In 2019, she captained Rajasthan’s women’s team to victory at the inaugural National Sitting Volleyball Championship, demonstrating her versatility and competitive spirit.
Her eventual transition to rifle shooting was prompted partly by circumstances at home. Her husband, Ravindra Chaudhary, a former wheelchair basketball player who had supported her sporting ambitions, suffered a brain injury in a road accident. With travel for training becoming difficult, Agarwal considered an alternative closer to home.
A shooting academy located less than a kilometre from her residence offered a practical way to continue pursuing sport. She began rifle shooting in December 2021, although learning to support the weight of the rifle presented an initial physical challenge.
Agarwal’s progress in shooting was swift. After winning a silver medal at the national level in 2022, she secured bronze in the mixed-team event at the 2023 World Shooting Para Sport World Cup in Osijek, Croatia.
Later that year, she won gold in the women’s 10-metre air rifle standing SH1 event at the World Cup in Changwon, South Korea. Her performances established her as a serious contender on the international circuit.
A significant breakthrough followed at the 2024 World Shooting Para Sport World Cup in New Delhi, where she won gold and secured a Paralympic quota place for India. She went on to win bronze in the women’s 10-metre air rifle standing SH1 event at the Paris Paralympics in 2024, marking a major milestone in her career.
She was subsequently honoured with the Arjuna Award in recognition of her sporting achievements.
Record-Breaki
ng Performance in Nagoya
At the 2026 Asian Para Games, Agarwal delivered a performance that underlined her consistency and composure under pressure. She topped the qualification round with 629.1 points, setting a new Asian Para Games qualification record.
The final, however, proved far from straightforward. After slipping to sixth position during the early stages, she gradually worked her way back into medal contention as the elimination rounds progressed.
Agarwal ultimately finished with 250.0 points, narrowly surpassing Lekhara’s 249.6 to claim the gold medal and establish a new Games record. South Korea’s Yunri Lee won bronze.
The result was especially significant given Agarwal’s bronze medal at the Paris Paralympics two years earlier. Her latest achievement reinforced her position among India’s leading para shooters and gave the Indian contingent an emphatic start to the competition.
Balancing Motherhood and Elite Sport
Away from the shooting range, Agarwal is a mother of two children, Aarvi and Avik. Managing the demands of family life alongside intensive training and international competition has been an important part of her sporting journey.
Support from her family has helped her sustain her ambitions through periods of difficulty. Her story also reflects the contribution of caregivers and family members whose encouragement can make elite sporting careers possible.
From confronting the consequences of polio in infancy to standing atop the podium at a major international event, Agarwal’s journey demonstrates the role of sustained effort, adaptability and support in overcoming barriers. Her gold in Nagoya is not merely another medal for India; it is a milestone in a career built through determination and a refusal to let setbacks dictate its course.
