Asian Para Games: Nishad Kumar and Mona Agarwal to Lead India as Flag Bearers at Closing Ceremony

Asian Para Games: Double Gold Medallists Nishad Kumar and Mona Agarwal to Be India’s Flag Bearers

India’s star para-athletes Nishad Kumar and Mona Agarwal have been chosen to carry the national flag at the closing ceremony of the 2026 Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya on Saturday. Both athletes earned the honour after winning two gold medals each, with their performances highlighted by record-breaking achievements.

Nishad made a strong statement in para-athletics, winning gold in the men’s long jump T47 with a best attempt of 7.11 metres. Making his international debut in the event, the high jump specialist demonstrated his versatility before claiming another gold in the men’s high jump T47. He cleared 2.04 metres to establish a new Games record.

The double-gold performance placed Nishad among a select group of Indian athletes to win two gold medals at a single edition of the Asian Para Games. He became the third Indian to achieve the feat, joining para-runner Ankur Dhama and armless archer Sheetal Devi. A two-time Paralympic silver medallist and world champion, Nishad’s success in both disciplines underlined his ability to excel beyond his specialist event.

Mona Agarwal delivered an equally impressive performance on the shooting range. She secured India’s first medal of the campaign by winning the women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 gold with a Games-record score of 250.0 points. Mona overcame a sixth-place position to finish at the top, narrowly defeating fellow Indian and two-time Paralympic champion Avani Lekhara by 0.4 points. Avani claimed silver, giving India a one-two finish.

Mona added a second gold medal on Friday, October 23, in the women’s 50m rifle 3 Positions SH1 competition. Her score of 357.5 points set a new world record, surpassing the previous mark of 356 points established by Sweden’s Anna Benson in July 2026. The victory capped a memorable campaign for the Paris 2024 Paralympics bronze medallist.

The achievements of Nishad and Mona have made them two of India’s standout performers at the continental competition. Their appointment as flag bearers for the closing ceremony recognises their outstanding medal-winning campaigns and the records they set while representing the country.

As the Games draw to a close, the duo will lead India’s contingent in the ceremony, bringing a fitting conclusion to their successful campaigns in para-athletics and para-shooting.