India shined with two medals in the R2 Women's 10-metre air rifle standing SH1. Avani Lekhara created history with the gold medal, while Mona Agarwal clinched the bronze medal.
On Friday (August 30), India recorded its first gold medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympics Games. In the shooting event (R2 Women's 10-metre air rifle standing SH1), Avani Lekhara secured a gold medal by setting a new Paralympic record. The 22-year-old scored 249.7 to win the gold medal in the shooting event.
Avani Lekhara became the first Indian woman to win two gold medals in the Summer Paralympics
Avani was also the previous Paralympic record holder of her event, scoring 249.6 during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics Games. She won a gold medal in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics Games.
With her latest gold medal in Paris, Avani became the first Indian woman to win two gold medals in the history of the Summer Paralympics.
South Korean Lee Yunri (246.8) won the silver medal in the R2 Women's 10-metre air rifle standing SH1 event. Indian Mona Agarwal claimed the bronze medal with a score of 228.7.
Both the Indian shooters will also participate in the R8 Women's 50m Rifle 3 Positions SH1 event at the ongoing Paralympics. Meanwhile, Avani will also participate in the R3 Mixed 10m Air Rifle Prone SH1, and Mona will compete in the R6 Mixed 50m Rifle Prone SH1.
Who is Avani Lekhara?
Avani Lekhara hails from Jaipur, Rajasthan. She was left paralysed below the waist at the age of 11 years after a car accident. Despite challenges, she has set an inspiring example for everyone.
In the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics Games, Avani won two medals. While she won the gold medal in the R2 Women's 10-metre air rifle standing SH1 event, she also won the bronze medal in the R8 Women's 50m Rifle 3 Positions SH1 event. She was the first Indian woman to win more than one medal in a single Summer Paralympics Games.
In the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics Games, Avani was India’s flag bearer at the closing ceremony.
During the World Cup in 2022, Avani won two gold medals in France and one silver medal in South Korea.
Avani also won a gold medal in the Asian Para Games.
- In 2021, Avani received the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.
- In 2022, Avani was honoured with the Padma Shri Award.
Who is Mona Agarwal?
Mona Agarwal was born and raised in Sikar, Rajasthan. In nine months, Mona suffered from the polio virus that affected her lower limbs.
Before taking up the shooting sport, Mona tried in different other sports, including volleyball. During the National Sitting Volleyball Championship for Women in 2019, she led the Rajasthan state team and won the gold medal.
Mona also has a bronze medal in the mixed team event in the World Cup.
Mona is the wife of Ravindra Chaudhary, the former wheelchair basketball player. In 2022, Ravindra suffered a brain injury due to an accident. Currently, he is under rehab at home.
