Avani Lekhara etched her name in the annals of sports history on Thursday by winning a historic gold medal in the women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 event at the Paris Paralympics. This victory marks her second consecutive gold in the event, following her triumph at the Tokyo Paralympics.
In an extraordinary performance, Lekhara surpassed her own previous Paralympic record, achieving a final score of 249.7—just edging out her 249.6 score in Tokyo. The final round was filled with drama and tension as Lekhara faced a significant challenge in the shoot-out for the top spot. A 9.9 in her penultimate shot momentarily dropped her to second place behind Korea’s Yunri Lee, who seemed poised for gold.
However, in a stunning turnaround, Lekhara delivered a steady 10.5 in her final shot, putting the outcome in Lee’s hands. The pressure proved too much for Lee, who faltered with a disappointing 6.8, allowing Lekhara to secure the gold by a substantial margin of 1.9 points. This victory further cements Lekhara’s status as one of India’s greatest Paralympians.
India’s success at the event was further enhanced by Mona Agarwal, who claimed the bronze medal with a final score of 228.7. Agarwal had been in strong form throughout the competition and even briefly held the lead after 20 shots with a score of 208.1. However, a 10.0 in her 22nd shot ended her hopes for gold, but she still managed to secure a place on the podium.
Avani Lekhara: A Trailblazer for Indian Sports
With this latest victory, Avani Lekhara becomes the first Indian woman to win two Paralympic gold medals. Her accomplishments in Tokyo had already made her a trailblazer, as she became the first female shooter from India to win a Paralympic medal, claiming gold in the 10m air rifle standing SH1 and bronze in the 50m rifle 3 positions.
The SH1 category in shooting includes athletes who have movement impairments affecting their arms, lower trunk, and legs, or who are missing limbs. Lekhara’s triumph is a testament to her resilience, skill, and determination, inspiring a generation of athletes and leaving an indelible mark on Indian sports history.