Avani Lekhara's road to Paralympic success began dramatically in 2012, when a car accident left her paralyzed from the waist down...
Digital Desk: India’s journey at the Paris Paralympics began on a triumphant note as Avani Lekhara clinched gold in the women’s 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 event, successfully defending her title from Tokyo 2020. With this victory, Lekhara not only retained her crown but also broke her Paralympic record, cementing her status as India's most decorated female Paralympic athlete.
The 22-year-old’s stellar performance was a highlight of the shooting events, which saw India winning two medals. In addition to Lekhara’s gold, Mona Agarwal, 36, secured a bronze medal in the same category. This marks a promising start for India at the Paris Paralympics, echoing the success of the Tokyo Games where Manu Bhaker clinched the country’s first medal.
Avani Lekhara's journey to the top is a testament to her resilience and dedication. An ardent fan of Abhinav Bindra, Lekhara became the first female para-athlete from India to win three Paralympic medals. Her previous accolades include a gold medal in the 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 and a bronze medal in the women’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions SH1 at the Tokyo 2020 Games.
The final at the Chateauroux - Final Range was a nail-biting affair. Lekhara, initially in second place, surged ahead with a final shot of 10.5, surpassing South Korea’s Lee Yunri, who had led the competition until then. Avani’s final score of 249.7 set a new Paralympic record, surpassing her previous mark of 249.6 set in Tokyo.
Mona Agarwal’s performance was also noteworthy. Although she finished with a bronze medal and a score of 228.7, she had been in the gold medal position before the final elimination round. Her strong start included a 10.6 in her first shot of the last round, but a final shot of 10 slightly impacted her standing.
Avani Lekhara's road to Paralympic success began dramatically in 2012, when a car accident left her paralyzed from the waist down. Despite this life-altering challenge, her father Praveen Lekhara’s unwavering support introduced her to shooting in 2015 at the Jagatpura Shooting Range in Jaipur. Inspired by Abhinav Bindra’s autobiography and guided by coach Chandra Shekhar and later Olympian Suma Shirur, Avani’s dedication and hard work led to international acclaim. Her first major success came with a bronze at the 2017 World Shooting Para Sport World Cup in Bangkok, setting the stage for her continued achievements, including a record-breaking performance at the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou.
Avani Lekhara’s remarkable achievements at the Paris Paralympics not only highlight her personal success but also underscore India’s growing prowess in para-sports.
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