Manish Narwal Wins Silver at Asian Para Games 2026 and Secures LA 2028 Paralympic Quota
Indian para shooter Manish Narwal won the silver medal in the men’s 10m air pistol SH1 event at the 2026 Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on October 20. His performance secured a quota place for India at the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games and added another major achievement to his international shooting career.
Narwal scored 233.7 points in the eight-shooter final to finish second. South Korea’s Jeongdu Jo won the gold medal with a Games-record score of 241.3 points, while China’s Yang Chao claimed bronze with 213.6 points. India’s other finalist, Rudransh Khandelwal, finished seventh with 127.3 points.
The silver medal continued India’s strong performance in para shooting at the Asian Para Games. Narwal also became the third Indian para shooter to secure a quota place for the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympics, following Mona Agarwal and Avani Lekhara, who won gold and silver respectively in the women’s 10m air rifle SH1 event earlier in the competition.
Strong Performance in the Final
Narwal entered the final after finishing fifth in the qualification round with a score of 570 points, including 15 inner tens. Khandelwal qualified in second place with 571 points and 21 inner tens. Another Indian competitor, Nihal Singh, finished 12th in qualification with 560 points and did not advance to the final.
Narwal maintained his position among the leading shooters during the final and finished with 233.7 points. Although he could not overtake Jo for gold, his result earned him the silver medal and helped India secure a quota place for the next Paralympic Games.
Jo’s performance was particularly notable because his score of 241.3 established a new Asian Para Games record. Yang Chao completed the podium in third place, giving China the bronze medal.
Importance of the LA 2028 Quota
A quota place is an allocation that allows a country to enter an athlete in a particular event at the Paralympic Games, subject to the applicable qualification rules. Narwal’s result secured a place for India in the men’s 10m air pistol SH1 event at Los Angeles 2028. The final athlete entry will be governed by the relevant qualification and selection requirements.
The achievement gives India another opportunity to compete in para shooting at the next Paralympics. It also reflects the country’s continued efforts to develop athletes who can challenge for medals at major international competitions.
Narwal became the third Indian para shooter to secure an LA 2028 quota place at the 2026 Asian Para Games. Earlier, Mona Agarwal and Avani Lekhara had earned quota places through their performances in the women’s 10m air rifle SH1 event. Their results, together with Narwal’s silver, strengthened India’s position in the shooting competition.
A Successful International Career
Narwal is an established name in Indian para shooting and has already won medals at the Paralympic Games. At Tokyo 2020, he won gold in the mixed 50m pistol SH1 event. He later earned silver in the men’s 10m air pistol SH1 event at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.
He also won bronze in the men’s 10m air pistol SH1 event at the 2022 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou. His silver medal at the 2026 edition represents an improvement on that result in the same event.
Narwal’s continued success demonstrates his ability to compete against experienced shooters from across the world. His performances at the Paralympics and Asian Para Games have helped raise the profile of Indian para shooting.
Understanding the SH1 Category
The SH1 classification in para shooting is for athletes with eligible impairments affecting their lower limbs and/or upper limbs who can support the weight of the firearm without a shooting stand. Athletes compete under the rules and equipment requirements established for their classification.
In the 10m air pistol event, competitors aim at a target from a distance of 10 metres. Scores are determined by the accuracy of their shots, with the final ranking decided according to the competition format. Consistency, concentration and control are important throughout both qualification and final rounds.
India Looks Ahead to Los Angeles 2028
Narwal’s silver medal is an important result for India as the country builds its para shooting team for the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games. Securing a quota place provides India with an opportunity to enter the event, while athlete selection and final participation remain subject to the official qualification process.
His performance also adds to the momentum created by India’s other medal-winning shooters at the Asian Para Games. Strong results at continental competitions provide valuable experience and help athletes prepare for the demands of the Paralympic stage.
With silver in the men’s 10m air pistol SH1 event, Manish Narwal has strengthened his record as one of India’s leading para shooters. His 233.7-point performance secured a place on the podium and a quota for India at Los Angeles 2028, making it a significant achievement for the Indian contingent in Aichi-Nagoya.
