Asian Para Games: Nishad, Mona named India's flag bearers for closing ceremony

Nishad Kumar and Mona Agarwal have been named India's flag bearers for the closing ceremony of the Asian Para Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, after each won two gold medals and set records in their respective events.

In Short

• Nishad Kumar and Mona Agarwal will carry the tricolour at the closing ceremony
• Mona delivered a record-breaking campaign in shooting with two gold medals
• Nishad clinched top spot in men's high jump T47 event after gold in long jump T47

Nishad Kumar and Mona Agarwal will carry the tricolour at the closing ceremony of the 2026 Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya on Saturday, bringing the spotlight back on two of India's most successful athletes at the continental event.

Both athletes won two gold medals each, with Nishad excelling in para-athletics and Mona delivering a record-breaking campaign in shooting.

Nishad began his campaign with gold in the men's long jump T47, winning the event with a best effort of 7.11m despite making his international debut in the discipline. The high jump specialist followed it up with another gold in the men's high jump T47, clearing 2.04m to set a new Games record.

The double made Nishad only the third Indian to win two gold medals in a single edition of the Asian Para Games, joining para-runner Ankur Dhama and armless archer Sheetal Devi.

For Nishad, a two-time Paralympic silver medallist and world champion, the long jump victory was particularly significant as he made a successful transition into a new event before returning to the top of the podium in his speciality.

Mona, meanwhile, made an equally strong impression at the shooting range. She opened India's medal account with gold in the women's 10m air rifle standing SH1, producing a Games-record score of 250.0 points to beat compatriot Avani Lekhara by just 0.4 points.

The final saw Mona climb from sixth place to take the title, while Avani, a two-time Paralympic champion, settled for silver as India secured a one-two finish.

Mona was not finished there. The bronze medallist at the 2024 Paris Paralympics returned to win the women's 50m rifle 3 Positions SH1 gold on Friday, October 23, with a world-record score of 357.5. She bettered the previous world record of 356, set by Sweden's Anna Benson in July 2026, to claim her second gold of the Games.

The two gold medals capped a memorable campaign for Mona, who has continued to establish herself among India's leading para-shooters.

With two gold medals apiece, Nishad and Mona will now lead India's contingent at Saturday's closing ceremony. Their selection as flag bearers recognises a campaign in which both athletes combined consistency with record-breaking performances on the biggest stage.

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