Indian para-athletes have opened their accounts in the Paris Paralympics 2024. Today was the day of women's power. While Avni Lekhara created history by bringing the first gold in para-athletes, Mona Agarwal and Preeti Pal won bronze medals. Para shooter Mona Agarwal scored 228.7 in the 10m air rifle standing SH1 event to finish third and bring the bronze medal to India.
Who is Mona Agarwal
Para shooter Mona Agarwal has participated in three medal events in the Paris Paralympics. After winning a medal in one event, the hopes of medals from her in the other two events have also increased.
Mona Agarwal has been suffering from polio since childhood
Mona Agarwal's journey to victory was not so easy. She worked very hard to reach the Para Olympics. Mona was born in Sikar district of Rajasthan. She was unable to walk due to being polio-stricken since childhood. At the same time, being a girl, she also had to face conservative thinking. Mona did not even get a chance to complete her studies. However, their grandmother's inspiration encouraged her for sports and Moni came to Jaipur to become a para shooter.
Path to becoming a para-athlete
Mona first tried her hand at shotput, discus, javelin throw, and powerlifting. Through these sports, she reached the state-level tournament. But Mona's body was unable to withstand the rigor of athletics through a wheelchair. So she focused completely on para shooting.
Achievements of Mona Agarwal
Mona participated in the WSPS World Cup in Osijek, Croatia in 2023 and won a bronze medal in the very first attempt. Along with this, Mona Agarwal won the gold medal in para shooting at the WSPS World Cup 2024 held in New Delhi.
(PC: Instagram)
