India’s wait for a first medal at the Asian Para Games 2026 ended on Monday, October 19. Rifle shooters Mona Agarwal and Avani Lekhara claimed gold and silver in the women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 final, delivering a one-two finish on the first full day of medal competition.
The fifth Games opened in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on October 18 and continue until October 24. Around 3,000 athletes from 45 National Paralympic Committees are competing across 18 sports. India has sent 168 athletes, with several more medal events still ahead.
Key Highlights
- Mona Agarwal took India’s first gold with 250.0 points; Avani Lekhara won silver with 249.6.
- India’s 281-member delegation includes 112 male and 56 female athletes.
- Sheetal Devi equalled the women’s compound archery world record with 704 points in qualification.
- Para athletics and para badminton account for 90 of India’s 168 competitors.
- The Games conclude on October 24, with India chasing its Hangzhou record of 111 medals.
India’s First Medals Arrive In The 10m Air Rifle Final
Two Indians shared the podium before many of the biggest medal events had begun. Mona’s 250.0 was a new Asian Para Games final record, while Avani finished just 0.4 points behind. South Korea’s Lee Yunri took bronze with 227.9.
There had already been a warning to their rivals in qualification. Mona scored 629.1 to break the Games qualification record, with Avani second on 626.4. The October 19 shooting results also confirmed India’s first two medals.
It was a particularly telling result for Avani, the defending Asian Para Games champion in this event. Mona, a Paris 2024 Paralympic bronze medallist, finished ahead of her this time. Neither athlete’s qualifying position alone had guaranteed a medal; the final decided the podium.
Athletics, Badminton, Archery And Judo: India’s Next Medal Chances
The opening-day results are only part of India’s medal picture. These competitions now deserve attention:
- Para Athletics: Sumit Antil’s F64 javelin and Simran Sharma’s sprint events headline a 62-athlete squad. Nishad Kumar and Deepthi Jeevanji are other established contenders.
- Para Badminton: India has 28 players, including Pramod Bhagat. Manasi Joshi and Thulasimathi Murugesan reached the women’s doubles SL3-SU5 semifinals, already assuring India of a medal.
- Para Archery: Sheetal Devi scored 704 out of 720 in women’s compound qualification, equalling the world record and setting an Asian mark. Her medal outcome still depends on elimination matches.
- Para Judo: Kokila reached the women’s J2 -52kg final after beating China’s Yi Liu, securing at least silver. Kapil Parmar remains in contention for bronze.
The distinction between a record, an assured medal and a medal already awarded is worth watching as results arrive. Qualification scores do not determine the final archery or shooting podium.
Can A Smaller Indian Team Repeat Hangzhou’s 111 Medals?
In Hangzhou in 2023, India finished fifth with 111 medals: 29 gold, 31 silver and 51 bronze. Those are the figures published by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, rather than the lower totals appearing in some recent reports.
India entered that edition with 303 athletes. The Japan squad is down to 168 across 11 sports. Quota restrictions and the absence of previously successful events, including para-canoeing and para-rowing, complicate a straight comparison of medal totals.
Athletics supplied 55 Hangzhou medals and badminton another 21. Together, their 90 participants make up more than half of India’s 2026 squad. The first shooting double helps, but matching 111 with fewer starters remains a demanding target.
Asian Para Games 2026 Schedule And Where To Watch In India
Badminton, table tennis and blind football began before the October 18 opening ceremony at Nagoya’s Paloma Mizuho Stadium.
- Dates: October 18–24, with medal events throughout the week.
- TV and streaming: DD Sports carries coverage in India. Digital viewing is reported on FanCode and the Waves platform, although event availability may differ.
- Official information: The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games website provides schedules, event updates and access to results.
The organisers also shared an official October 18 X post showing the ceremonial flame ahead of the opening. The October 19 medal count will change as finals conclude.
Frequently Asked Questions
When Are The Asian Para Games 2026 Being Held?
The Games opened in Aichi-Nagoya on October 18 and end on October 24. Preliminary badminton, table tennis, and blind football matches took place on October 16 and 17.
Who Won India’s First Asian Para Games 2026 Medals?
Mona Agarwal won gold, and Avani Lekhara took silver on October 19 in the women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 event, India’s first podium finish.
Why Is India’s Squad Smaller Than In 2023?
India has 168 athletes, compared with 303 in Hangzhou. Event changes and tighter participation quotas have limited entries, making direct medal comparisons with the previous edition difficult.
Has Sheetal Devi Already Won An Archery Medal?
Not from her qualification score alone. Sheetal’s 704 points equalled the women’s compound world record, but the elimination and final rounds determine who eventually reaches the podium.
Where Can Fans Check India’s Latest Medal Tally?
Use the official Games schedule and results pages for confirmed standings. Indian viewers can also follow DD Sports coverage and check the availability of digital streaming for individual events.
India’s Medal Victories, Asian Games Highlights and Olympic Dreams!
1. Where Does India Rank in 2026?
Check out the Asian Games 2026 medal tally and India’s rank for the latest standings.
2. How Many Medals Has India Won?
Discover India’s Asian Games 2026 medal count and standout sporting achievements.
3. Can Asian Events Secure Olympic Qualification?
Uncover how Asian events influence Olympic qualification and world rankings.
4. How Did Mirabai Chanu Claim Silver?
Explore Mirabai Chanu’s Asian Games silver medal achievement and her performance.
5. What Does India’s Medal Tally Reveal?
See India’s medal tally at the 19th Asian Games and its major sporting achievements.
