Avani Lekhara once again captured the spotlight at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, delivering a stunning performance in the women’s 10m air rifle final. The young Indian parachutist defended her title and made history by becoming the first Indian woman to win two gold medals at the Paralympic Games.
On Friday, Avani secured gold with an outstanding score of 249.7 in the final round, breaking her Paralympic record of 249.6, set during her debut at Tokyo 2020. This victory marks India’s 10th gold medal at the Paris Paralympics 2024 and signifies a major achievement for the nation in the sport.
Adding to India’s glory, Mona Agarwal earned the bronze with a score of 228.7, making it the first time India achieved a double podium finish in the same event at the Paralympic Games. The silver medal went to South Korea’s Lee Yunri, who scored 246.8.
Reflecting on her win, Avani, who became India’s first female Paralympic double gold medalist, said, “It feels incredible to win another gold medal for my country and to defend my title successfully. Having Mona Agarwal on the podium alongside me is a great motivation.”
India’s expectations were high on Day 6 of the Paris Paralympics 2024, following a series of strong performances by Indian athletes. The schedule was packed with events in shooting, archery, and athletics, and the Indian contingent aimed to increase their medal count further.
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Avani Lekhara’s triumph in the SH1 rifle shooting class—where athletes support the weight of the rifle themselves despite impairments in their legs—demonstrated her exceptional talent and determination. Earlier in the day, Avani secured second place in qualifying with a score of 625.8, while Mona Agarwal secured her spot in the final by finishing fifth with a total of 623.1.
Her father, Praveen Lekhara, expressed his pride, stating, “She is an outstanding athlete. Her shooting skills are exceptional, and her hard work and dedication have paid off. I am confident she will continue to win more medals for India.”
Her former coach, Chandrashekhar, added, “I congratulate Avani, her family, and the nation. She is an extraordinary talent, having consecutively won two gold medals for the country. I am hopeful that she will bring home even more medals.”
As the Paris Paralympics 2024 progresses, Avani Lekhara is set to compete in the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions SH1 and the mixed 10m air rifle prone SH1 events. With her current form and relentless determination, India’s hopes for more medals are strong.
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