NEW DELHI: Indian para-shooter Mona Agarwal secured a quota place for the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles after winning silver in the women’s 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 event at the WSPS World Championships in Changwon, South Korea, on Thursday.The 38-year-old finished with a score of 250.0, just 0.2 points behind Serbia’s 22-year-old Kristina Trifunovic, who claimed gold with 250.2. The top two finishers were eligible for the coveted Paralympic quota places, meaning Agarwal’s silver earned India its first quota in the event.For Agarwal, the achievement also marked her maiden World Championships medal. She had previously won silver in the same event at the Changwon World Cup last year.
From missing quota by 0.3 to securing LA place
The quota was particularly meaningful for Agarwal because of her experience at the 2023 World Championships, when she narrowly missed out on qualification.“Last time in 2023 when I had participated in the World Championships, I missed the quota by 0.3. It was my second international match and I was very nervous,” Agarwal told RevSportz.“I still have those memories fresh in my mind. I participated this time with all those learnings and I am happy that I could achieve whatever I wanted to. So, the performance this time and the medal means a lot to me,” she added.Agarwal, who hails from Sikar in Rajasthan and was afflicted with polio as an infant, won a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.She recalled another memorable moment from her journey.“I remember in March 2024 during the New Delhi World Cup, I was told that you have the last ‘bacha-hua’ quota. I considered even that as a glory but this time I am grateful to almighty that he supported me and I could secure the first quota place,” she said.
Avani wins bronze as India clinch team gold
Paris Paralympics gold-medallist Avani Lekhara also finished on the podium, taking bronze with 229.4. However, she could not secure a quota as only the top two finishers were eligible.Agarwal and Lekhara combined to help India win the team gold medal in the event.Agarwal already has her sights set on Los Angeles.“In 2028, I want the medal colour to change into a Gold and I am also planning to secure a medal in the 50m event, since it would be my first achievement in 50m if I get one,” she said.“In shooting and para-shooting, the quota place belongs to the country and not the individual athlete who secures it. The final list of participants is decided through trials and assessments closer to the Games.