Published By: Rohit Chatterjee

Paralympics 2024: Mona Agarwal Opens Indiaโ€™s Medal Tally With a Bronze in Shooting

India has opened its medal tally on day two of the ongoing Paralympics 2024

Smile India smile as shooter Mona Agarwal has clinched the first medal for India, a bronze in the Women's 10m air rifle standing SH1. In the event's finale, Mona finished third with 228.7 points behind South Korea's Lee and India's Avani Lekhara, who grabbed the first spot with 249.7 points.

Three years into the field

Born in Sikar, Rajasthan, the 37-year-old shooter took up shooting only in 2021 after trying out multiple sports, including volleyball. As a nine-month-old child, Mona was attacked by polio, which put her in a wheelchair for the rest of her life. However, she not only had to fight her disability but also the conservation mindset of society, including her parents.

The youngest of the three sisters, Mona's parents wanted a son instead of a daughter. Therefore, Mona was often labelled as an unwanted child. However, her maternal grandmother, Geetha Devi, also stood by her side and supported her at every point of her life.

Mona Agarwal also takes care of her husband, Ravi Chaudhury, who is a former wheelchair basketball player. He suffered an injury in an accident and needs utmost care and attention. A mother of two, despite all odds, Mona has fought her way to a bronze medal in the Paralympics 2024.

Off the field, Mona also works as a government secretariat in Jaipur and as per the indianshooting.com, since 2021, Mona has spent INR 28 lakh on the sport that now defines her life.

Notable achievements

Given Mona is still a fresh candidate in the world of para shooting, her list of achievement isn't lengthy but the notable ones must be mentioned. In 2023, Mona made her international debut at the World Cup in Osijek, Croatia. In March 2024, she won a gold medal at the WSPS Para Shooting World Cup at New Delhi which earned her a place in the Paralympics 2024. In April 2024, Mona secured another gold medal at the Para World Cup in Changwon, Korea.

Last but not least, in an old interview, Mona gave credit to her support system at home, stating, "My in-laws have ensured that my practice isn't hampered as they share the responsibilities at home. Though young, my children understand the situation and tell me, 'don't worry mama, you come back with a medal."