Avani Lekhara, India’s shooting sensation, has etched her name in history once again by securing a gold medal in the women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 event at the Paris Paralympics. This remarkable achievement marks her second consecutive gold medal in the same event, solidifying her status as one of India’s most decorated Paralympians.
Lekhara’s triumph was not without its challenges. In a nail-biting final round, she faced a significant drop in the shoot-out for the gold. Her penultimate shot, a 9.9, temporarily relegated her to second place behind Korea’s Yunri Lee. However, Lekhara’s unwavering determination shone through in her final shot, a steady 10.5, which left the outcome hanging in the balance.
In a dramatic twist, Lee faltered under pressure, delivering a disappointing 6.8, which allowed Lekhara to clinch the gold by a significant margin of 1.9. This victory not only secured her a place in the history books but also cemented her legacy as one of India’s finest Paralympians.
India’s medal tally was further enhanced by Mona Agarwal’s remarkable bronze medal in the same event. Agarwal’s consistent performance throughout the round, including a brief stint at the top after 20 shots, culminated in a final score of 228.7. While she narrowly missed out on a chance to face Lekhara in an all-Indian shootout for gold, her bronze medal is a testament to her skill and determination.
Lekhara’s historic achievement is particularly significant as she became the first Indian woman to clinch two Paralympic gold medals. At the Tokyo Paralympics, she had already made history by becoming the first woman shooter from India to win medals in shooting. In addition to her gold medal in the 10m air rifle standing SH1, she also won a bronze in the 50m rifle 3 positions.
The SH1 category in shooting involves athletes who have movement affected in their arms, lower trunk, and legs or have no limbs. Lekhara’s success in this category is a testament to her exceptional resilience and unwavering spirit.
