In elite sport, the difference between gold and silver can come down to a fraction of a point. At the 2026 Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, that difference was just 0.4 points. Yet behind those few decimal points were two remarkable performances that gave India a memorable start to its campaign.
Mona Agarwal won gold in the women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 event with a record score of 250.0 points. Fellow Indian shooter Avani Lekhara secured silver with 249.6 points, while South Korea’s Yunri Lee won bronze. The Indian pair finished first and second, earning India its first medals of the Games.
But the result was about more than two medals. It showed how concentration, consistency and composure can make all the difference when the competition is decided by the smallest margins.
When every decimal counts
The final remained close until the closing shots. Before the final shots, Mona led Avani by just 0.1 points, with scores of 239.2 and 239.1 respectively. Mona eventually finished with 250.0 points, setting a new Asian Para Games record.
Shooting requires athletes to maintain their focus, control their breathing and remain steady under pressure. A tiny difference in a score can separate the winner from the runner-up.
For spectators, the final scores may look like simple numbers on a screen. For the athletes, every shot reflects preparation, repeated practice and the ability to stay calm when the stakes are high.
Mona’s victory is particularly notable because she won bronze at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. Avani, meanwhile, is a two-time Paralympic gold medallist. Their performances in Nagoya show the depth of Indian talent in para-shooting.
Beyond the podium
The SH1 classification is for para-shooters who can support their firearms without assistance. Athletes in this category must develop technical precision and mental discipline to compete at the highest level.
Their achievements deserve recognition for the quality of their sport. These are competitors who train, face pressure, learn from setbacks and work towards demanding goals.
Mona’s record-breaking score and Avani’s silver medal also offer a wider lesson about competition. One athlete’s success does not erase another’s achievement. Both pushed themselves to exceptional levels, and both earned their place on the podium.
Avani’s silver also secured a quota place for India at the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympics, adding further significance to her performance. Mona had already secured a quota place through the World Championships.
A victory worth remembering
India’s one-two finish was an encouraging start to its Asian Para Games campaign. It also gives audiences another reason to follow para-sport beyond the biggest international events.
Mona’s gold deserves celebration, while Avani’s silver deserves equal respect. A narrow defeat does not diminish years of hard work, just as a gold medal cannot capture an athlete’s entire journey. Their performances remind us that sporting excellence is not only about finishing first, but also about the discipline and determination required to compete at that level.
When the difference is just 0.4 points, both athletes have every reason to stand tall.
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