Mona Agarwal gets her wish as PM Modi praises Asian gold rusher

When Mona Agarwal was asked if she expected to get a call from Prime Minister Narendra Modi after winning a record medal at the Asian Para Games, her eyes sparkled and happiness resonated in her voice.

“Yes, absolutely!” an excited Mona told reporters.

Now, her wish has come true as PM Modi sent a special congratulatory message to the para-gunner after she won gold in the SH1 women’s 10m standing air rifle. PM Modi said Mona’s success made India’s opening day even more special and praised the precision, determination and composure during the performance.

“Congratulations to Mona Agarwal for winning gold in the Women’s 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 at the 2026 Asian Para Games! She also set a new Asian Para Games record with her excellent score! It is a remarkable achievement that makes India’s opening day even more special. Her precision, determination and composure,” he said, are truly commendable for the XPM competitions ahead.

PM Modi also felicitated Avani Lekhar, who finished second and won a silver medal, making it a memorable day for India in shooting in Nagoya.

“Great silver for @AvaniLekhara! Congratulations to her for winning silver in Women’s 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 at the 2026 Asian Para Games with an impressive score. Her consistency and determination continues to make the nation proud. We wish her all the best in her future endeavours,” PM Modi said at X.

HOW DID MONA WIN GOLD IN NAGOYA?

Mona Agarwal won gold with an Asian Para Games record 250 points, narrowly beating defending champion Avani Lekhar, who finished second with 249.6 points.

Avani, the reigning Paralympic and Asian Games champion, led halfway through the stage before a 9.7 in the fourth heat of the second stage allowed Mona to take control. Despite falling short behind South Korea’s Yunri Lee and Kazakhstan’s Aigerima Tulegenova, Avani battled back to secure the silver to complete a memorable number one for India.

For Mona, the triumph is another milestone in her shooting career, which began in December 2021.

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