India’s Avani Lekhara becomes first Indian woman to win two medals in single paralympics. There was a cut-throat competition between Avani and Ukraine’s Iryna Shchetnik for the bronze medal. Iryna’s poor third shot of 9.9 led Avani to bronze medal.
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| Avani Lekhara has won two medals in Tokyo paralympics 2020 |
Avani Lekhara becomes first Indian woman to win two medals in single paralympics. She wins bronze medal in women’s 50m Rifle 3 positions SH1 on friday. She had also won gold medal in 10m air rifle standing in the ongoing paralympics.
In the women’s 50m Rifle 3 positions SH1, she qualified for the final by staying at 2nd position in the qualifiaction round with the total score of 1176. In the final, there was a cut-throat competition between Avani and Ukraine’s Iryna Shchetnik for the bronze medal. Iryna’s poor third shot of 9.9 led Avani to bronze medal.
The moment💜 Outstanding from Avani Lekhara. Only 19 yrs and the youngest competitor in the final, she can only get better. Two medals: a #Gold and a #Bronze already. #Tokyo2020 #Paralympics pic.twitter.com/Oi0YZoFisY
— Doordarshan Sports (@ddsportschannel) September 3, 2021
China’s Zhang Cuiping won gold medal in this event with the new record of 457.9. Natascha Hiltrop of Germany won silver medal with the total score of 457.1 while Avani’s total score was 445.9.
More glory at the Tokyo #Paralympics. Elated by the stupendous performance of @AvaniLekhara. Congratulations to her on bringing home the Bronze medal. Wishing her the very best for her future endeavours. #Praise4Para
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 3, 2021
Recently, Avani Lekhara had won gold medal in 10m air rifle standing with the total score of 249.6 which is a new paralympic record and equal to world record. In this category, She is at 5th position in the world.
In 2012, Avani sustained spinal cord injuries in a car accident left her with complete paraplegia. SH1 is the category of leg impairment for example amputation and paraplegia. In this event, some players compete in seated position while others in standing position.
Avani’s father inspired her to start playing any game. Initially, Avani had also played archery but she took more interest in shooting. She started shooting in 2015 in Jaipur shooting range.
Avani was inspired from Indian olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra. He had won gold medal in shooting in Beijing olympics, 2008. Avani took inspiration by reading the book of his biography which was a gift from her father.
She becomes the Indian woman to win multiple medals in single paralympics. Prior to her, Joginder Singh Sodhi was the only one who had won multiple medals in single paralympics. He had won 1 silver and 2 bronze medals in 1984 paralympics. He won silver in shotput and two bronze in discus and javelin throw.
Devendra Jhajharia has also won multiple medals in paralympics. He had won two gold in 2004 and 2016 and also won silver medal in the ongoing paralympics. But he wins these medals in different paralympics.
Avani Lekhara’s competition is not over yet, next she will compete in the mixed 50m rifle prone SH1 event.