Indian shooters Avani Lekhara and Sidhartha Babu faced a setback at the Paralympic Games in Chateauroux on Sunday, failing to qualify for the final of the mixed 10m air rifle prone (SH1) event.
Lekhara, who had made history by winning a gold medal in the 10m air rifle standing SH1 event, struggled to replicate her form in this unfamiliar event. Despite a strong start, she finished with a total score of 632.8, placing 11th overall. Babu, on the other hand, ended in 28th position with a score of 628.3.
Lekhara’s sequence of scores included 105.7, 106.0, 104.1, 106.0, 104.8, and 106.2. Babu’s scores were 104.6, 103.8, 105.7, 104.9, 103.6, and 105.7.
The SH1 classification allows athletes to hold their gun without difficulty and shoot from a standing or sitting position. Lekhara, who had become the first Indian woman to win two Paralympic gold medals, had defended her title in the women’s 10m air rifle (SH1) event with a world record score on Friday.
Despite their disappointment in the mixed 10m air rifle prone event, Lekhara and Babu remain hopeful for success in their upcoming events. Lekhara will compete in the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions SH1 event, while Babu will participate in the men’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 event.
