Avani Lekhara made history once again at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, successfully defending her women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 title and becoming the first Indian woman to win two Paralympic gold medals.
In a stunning display of skill and composure, Lekhara set a new Paralympic record, scoring an impressive 249.7 points in the final.
This not only secured her the gold but also surpassed the previous record of 249.6, which she had set herself during her debut at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics exactly three years prior.
The 22-year-old para shooter faced tough competition from the Republic of Korea’s Lee Yunri, who claimed the silver medal with a score of 246.8, and her fellow Indian competitor, Mona Agarwal, who took bronze with a score of 228.7.
Mona narrowly missed out on competing for gold, but her presence on the podium alongside Avani marked a significant achievement for Indian para sports.
For the first time in Paralympic history, India celebrated a double podium finish in the same event, a momentous occasion for the nation. These two medals were also the first for India at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.
Expressing her joy after the event, Avani said, “It feels very nice to win another gold medal for my country and to defend my title, very nice.
It is great motivation to have Mona Agarwal on the podium.” Avani’s victory puts her in elite company, as she becomes only the second Indian to win two Paralympic golds, after legendary javelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia.
This also brings India’s total Paralympic gold medal count to 10, further solidifying its growing presence on the global stage.
Earlier in the competition, Avani had finished second in qualifying with a score of 625.8, while Mona placed fifth with 623.1 points.
The SH1 classification, in which Avani competes, includes shooters who have impairments in their lower limbs, such as amputation or paraplegia, but who can support the weight of the rifle themselves.
With her sights set on more success, Avani will next compete in the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions SH1 and the mixed 10m air rifle prone SH1 events at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.
Her continued pursuit of excellence and ability to deliver under pressure make her one of India’s brightest stars in the world of para sports.