Meet India’s flag bearers at the closing ceremony: two-time Asian Para Games gold medalists Mona Agarwal and Nishad Kumar

Nishad Kumar and Mona Agarwal (Image credit: X) NEW DELHI: Two-time gold medalists Mona Agarwal and Nishad Kumar will be India’s flag bearers at the closing ceremony of the 2026 Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya on Saturday after outstanding campaigns in shooting and para-athletics.Both athletes bagged two gold medals each at the continental event, with Mona producing a record-breaking performance in the shooting and Nishad excelling in the high and long jump.Their selection as flag bearers recognizes their achievements as India prepares to conclude the Games.

Mona’s record shooting run

The 38-year-old Mona opened India’s shooting medal account by winning gold in the women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 with a Games record 250.0 points. She beat compatriot Avani Lekhar by 0.4 points to clinch the title as India finished 1-2.Mona staged an impressive comeback in the final, climbing from sixth place to gold, while two-time Paralympic champion Avani settled for silver.The para-shooter continued her remarkable campaign by winning gold in the women’s 50m rifle SH1 3 positions on Friday. She scored 357.5 points and set a world record, surpassing the previous record of 356 points set by Sweden’s Anna Benson in July 2026.Mona contracted polio at the age of nine, affecting both lower limbs and being confined to a wheelchair. Her two gold medals at the Games added another major milestone in her career.

Nishad’s golden double in athletics

27-year-old Nishad also enjoyed a memorable campaign, winning gold in the men’s long jump T47 and high jump T47.He opened his account in the long jump with the best performance of 7.11 meters, he added another gold in the high jump. He cleared 2.04 meters and set a new Games record in the latter event.The double gold performance put Nishada among a select group of Indian athletes to have won two gold medals in the only edition of the Asian Para Games, joining para-runner Ankur Dham and armless archer Sheetal Devi.Nishad’s journey to the top was marked by resilience. When he was six years old, his right arm was severed by a grass cutter on his family’s farm in Himachal Pradesh. He later established himself as one of India’s leading para-athletes, particularly in the high jump.With two gold medals apiece, Mona and Nishad will lead the Indian contingent at Saturday’s closing ceremony, a fitting end to their impressive campaigns in Aichi-Nagoya.