20 years old Tokyo Paralympics champion Avani Lekhara won gold at the Para Shooting World Cup by scoring 250.6 in women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 in Chateauroux, France on June 7 and set a world record. She broke her own world record of 249.6 to secure her a spot at the 2024 Paris Paralympics.
Silver and bronze medal acquired
Poland’s Emilia Babska bagged the silver medal with a total of 247.6, while the bronze went to Anna Normann of Sweden after she shot 225.6. SH1 category is for athletes with lower limb impairment for competition in rifle events.
First visa was denied
Lekhara won the grand prize three days after the coach and escort were about to miss the tournament after the first visa was denied. However, the issue was resolved after intervention of the Sports Authority of India and Sports Ministry.
Lekhara tweeted, “Proud to bring home the gold in the R2 10M Air Rifle SH1 event with a WR score & India’s 1st Paris2024 Quota, at the Chateauroux2022. My 1st Int. event since the @paralympics. A big thank you to everyone who has supported me”.
Previous achievements of the champion
In August last year, Lekhara bagged gold in the 10m air rifle standing event in the SH1 category at the Tokyo Paralympics. She followed it up with a bronze in the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions SH1 event, making her the first Indian woman to win multiple medals at the Paralympics.
