'It's A Gold!', Avani Lekhara Opens Up India's Medal Tally At Paralympics
Paralympics 2024: Avani Lekhara created history as she clinched a historic gold medal at the women's 10m air rifle standing SH1 in the Paris Paralympics, thus securing successive top podiums at the event.
In an exceptional performance, Lekhara surpassed her own Paralympic record, raising the bar with a final score of 249.7; she ended at 249.6 at the previous Paralympics in Tokyo.
🏅 Gold Medal Glory! 🏅
Avani Lekhara shines bright as she clinches the gold medal in the R2 Women 10m Air Rifle SH1 event with a record-breaking score of 249.7.
A truly remarkable performance that makes the entire nation proud! 🇮🇳✨#GoldMedal #Champion #ParaShooting… pic.twitter.com/5hESkSgu4v
— Paralympic Committee of India (@PCI_IN_Official) August 30, 2024
Lekhara creates Indian history
Avani Lekhara became the first Indian woman to clinch two Paralympic gold medals. At Tokyo Paralympics, she had become the first woman shooter from the country to win medals in shooting.
In addition to a gold medal in the 10m air rifle standing SH1, she also won a bronze in the 50m rifle 3 positions.
About Avani Lekhara
She won a gold medal in the 10m air rifle standing and a bronze medal in the 50m rifle 3 positions at the 2020 Summer Paralympics. Lekhara was also ranked world no. 1 in Women's 10m Air Rifle standing SH1 (World Shooting Para Sport Rankings) and has competed in the 2018 Asian Para Games.
She is currently supported by OGQ. She is also the first Indian woman to win multiple medals in a single Paralympic Games. She has been given out of turn appointment as Assistant Conservator of Forest (ACF) by the Government of Rajasthan.
Career
Lekhara is the first Indian woman to win a Paralympic gold medal. Lekhara also won India's first gold medal at the 2020 Summer Paralympics. With a score of 249.6 points in the final event, the young shooter set a Paralympic record and tied the world record. She began shooting in 2015, inspired by former Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra and has since won several national and international titles.
On 3 September 2021, she became the first Indian female Paralympian to win two medals in Paralympics history after claiming bronze in women's 50m air rifle standing event.
Personal life
A car accident in 2012, at the age of 11, left her with complete paraplegia. Her father encouraged her to join sports, training in archery but moving to shooting in which she found her true passion. She currently studies law in Rajasthan University, India.
She was student of Kendriya Vidyalaya 3 in Jaipur, where she received her first gold medal in regional match of shooting.
