Mona Agarwal will lead India's pursuit for gold in rifle shooting at the Paris Paralympics in August-September.
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At the time of her birth, Mona Agarwal entered the world as an undesired daughter. Decades later, at 37 years of age, she defied expectations, becoming a significant contender for India in the forthcoming Paris Paralympics rifle shooting event. Having clinched an Olympic spot for India in the women’s 10-meter air rifle SH1 event at the recent Para Shooting World Cup in New Delhi, Mona’s prospects look promising for Paris, provided her performance remains consistent.
Mona’s presence on the international stage is recent, but she has already demonstrated formidable prowess, with a first and second-place finish in her competitions. Her tenacity serves as a testament to her resolve. Stricken by polio early in life, which rendered her wheelchair-bound, Mona hails from a traditional family in Sikar, Rajasthan, where being born female was not celebrated, especially since she was the third daughter.
Despite societal prejudice and her disability, Mona viewed her early hardships as groundwork for future challenges. Her maternal grandmother, Geeta Devi, recognized Mona’s potential early on and groomed her for the life that awaited. Mona adopted a belief in the attainability of the seemingly impossible, acknowledging that success is rooted in mental application.
Mona’s life, dominated by the sentiment that women held a lower status, witnessed an abrupt end to her formal education. She refused to let this set her back, and inspired by her grandmother’s teachings, she escaped from her familial environment, which threatened her with ostracism. Her journey through various para-sports, initially highlighting her skills in javelin, shot put, discus, and powerlifting was altered when physical strains demanded a change.
Hence, her transition into the realm of rifle shooting began in mid-2021. Lockdowns and restrictions provided hurdles in her pursuit, yet she found her place at the Eklavya Sports Shooting Academy, a stone’s throw from her Jothwara home. Though the path to mastery was steep, marked by high costs for equipment and entry fees, her coach, Yogesh Shekhawat extended support by forgoing his fees.
The balance Mona maintains is delicate; she devotes herself to her family, including two young children and a husband recuperating from an accident, while also nurturing her shooting career. Her role at the government secretariat in Jaipur aids her financially, yet the monetary burden of her sport is substantial, with expenditures reaching close to Rs 2.8 lakh.
Despite her challenges, Mona has found support from her in-laws and the understanding of her children, who encourage her ambition with assurances of pride irrespective of the outcome. As Mona prepares for the Paralympics, her story amplifies the enduring spirit of an indomitable will, overcoming personal misfortune and societal constraints, to emerge as a beacon of inspiration and a hopeful icon for her nation.
At her fourth global contest, Mona Agarwal from India clinched the gold in the women’s 10m air rifle SH1 event at the WSPS Para Shooting World Cup. Her victory also earned India a spot at the 2024 Paris Paralympics on Saturday. Avani Lekhara, who previously won gold at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, secured the bronze in the same competition.
Mona, 37, started her shooting career in December 2021. She initially made her mark in state shot put and powerlifting competitions and is now the ninth Indian para shooter to qualify for the Paris games. At the Karni Singh ranges, she managed to score 618 in the qualifiers, landing her in the final as the seventh-ranked shooter.
In the decisive round, Mona held strong against Zhang Cuiping from China, winning gold with a score of 250.7. Zhang got silver with a 248.8 score, while Avani Lekhara, who had already qualified for Paris in 2022, took third with 227.0 points.
Mona remained calm and focused during the finals, consistently hitting above 10 points, except for a 9.9 in her initial series. This Shooting World Cup, hosted by India for the first time, saw participation from over 270 shooters from 46 nations. They’re all vying for one of the 20 spots available for the Paris Paralympics.
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