India has made an impressive start at the Asian Para Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, with shooting and archery producing landmark performances. Archer Sheetal Devi equalled the women’s compound world record, while shooters Mona Agarwal and Avani Lekhara secured a historic gold-and-silver finish. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the athletes, praising their determination and excellence.

Aiming Beyond the Hangzhou Record

The sixth Asian Para Games are being held from October 18 to 24, featuring 489 medal events across 19 sports. India has fielded a 281-member contingent, including 168 athletes competing in 11 disciplines.

India finished fifth at Hangzhou in 2023 with a record 111 medals—29 gold, 31 silver and 51 bronze. Its objective this time is to surpass that achievement and strengthen the country’s growing presence in international para-sport.

Sheetal Devi Matches World Record

Nineteen-year-old Sheetal Devi delivered one of the opening day's outstanding performances in the women’s compound archery ranking round, scoring 704 out of 720. Her score equalled the world record and improved the Asian record by six points.

The achievement highlights Devi’s exceptional accuracy and consistency. Although the ranking round does not itself award a medal, it positions her strongly for the knockout stages and raises expectations for her subsequent performances.

Mona Agarwal and Avani Lekhara Make History

Shooting brought India its first gold medal of the Games through Mona Agarwal, who scored 250.0 in the women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 final, setting a new Asian Para Games record.

Defending champion Avani Lekhara claimed silver with 249.6, completing an outstanding Indian one-two finish. South Korea’s Lee Yunri secured bronze with 227.9.

Agarwal had topped qualification with 629.1 points, setting a new Asian Para Games qualification record. Lekhara qualified second with 626.4, demonstrating India’s strength in the discipline.

Other Athletes Keep Medal Hopes Alive

India also registered encouraging performances across other sports.

·       Sonalben Patel secured a medal prospect by reaching the para-table tennis semifinals.

·       Kokila, competing in visually impaired judo, reached the women’s J2-52kg final after defeating China’s Yi Liu.

·       Vaishnavi Vinod Jagtap finished sixth in the women’s 400m freestyle S8 final.

·       Niranjan Mukundan and Gopichand Lingutla finished fourth and fifth respectively in the men’s 400m freestyle S7 final.

·       Jaspreet Kaur narrowly missed a powerlifting podium, finishing fourth.

India’s medal tally stood at 17—six gold, six silver and five bronze—placing the country fourth after the first day of medal events.

Modi Praises Grit and Excellence

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the Indian contingent, praising its “remarkable grit, determination and excellence.” He specifically applauded Sheetal Devi’s record-equalling performance and the historic shooting achievements of Agarwal and Lekhara, describing their success as an inspiration for young sportspersons.

Building Momentum for a Historic Campaign

With para-athletics beginning and further opportunities in badminton, shooting and table tennis, India’s campaign has considerable potential. Its strong opening reflects years of growing participation and achievement in para-sport.

The challenge now is to convert early promise into sustained medal-winning performances. If the athletes maintain their form, India could surpass its Hangzhou record and deliver another defining chapter in the country’s sporting journey.

(With agency inputs)