In a momentous achievement for Indian sports, Avani Lekhara and Mona Agarwal have etched their names in the annals of Paralympic history by securing gold and bronze medals, respectively, in the women’s 10m air rifle (SH1) event at the Paris Paralympics 2024. This remarkable feat marks the first time two Indian shooters have stood on the podium in a single event at the Paralympics, showcasing the nation’s growing prowess in para-shooting.
Avani Lekhara: A Record-Breaking Performance
Avani Lekhara, the 22-year-old shooting sensation from Jaipur, delivered a stellar performance to retain her Paralympic gold medal. Avani shot a superb 249.7, breaking her own Paralympic record of 249.6 set at the Tokyo Paralympics three years ago. Her journey to this victory was fraught with challenges, including a gallbladder surgery that forced her to take a recovery break of one and a half months.
Despite these setbacks, Avani’s determination and resilience shone through as she worked tirelessly to regain her strength and mental fortitude at the national camp in Karni Singh ranges.
In the nerve-wracking final, Avani was trailing her rival, South Korea’s Lee Yunri, by a few decimal points. However, Lee’s final shot of 6.8 under pressure allowed Avani to clinch the gold with a superb 10.5, setting a new Paralympic record.
Avani, who is an assistant conservator of forests with the Rajasthan government, expressed her gratitude to her team, coaches, and parents for their unwavering support. “I am happy to win a medal for my country. I am thankful to my team, my coaches, and my parents,” she said after the match.
🇮🇳🥇 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘀𝗼 𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗲, 𝘀𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗼 𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝘄𝗶𝗰𝗲! Avani Lekhara wins back-to-back Paralympic Golds, setting a new Paralympic record with a score of 249.6. She becomes the second Indian para-athlete to win multiple Gold medals at the Paralympics.
— Sportwalk Media (@sportwalkmedia) August 30, 2024
Mona Agarwal: A Journey of Perseverance
Joining Avani on the podium was 37-year-old Mona Agarwal, who clinched the bronze medal with a score of 228.7. Mona’s journey to this historic moment has been equally inspiring. Having dabbled in various sports, including shot-put, powerlifting, and wheelchair volleyball, Mona finally found her calling in shooting. Her dedication and hard work over the past year paid off as she secured a place in the eight-shooter final and ultimately claimed the bronze medal.
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