India’s Avani Lekhara has won the gold medal in the women’s 10-meter air rifle event at the Paralympics 2024. She scored 249.7 points in the final round, securing the top spot on the podium. Along with Avani, India’s Mona Agarwal also made history by winning a bronze medal. Avani’s victory is particularly remarkable as she set a new Paralympic record.
Close Contest with South Korea’s Yunri Lee
The competition between Avani Lekhara and South Korea’s Yunri Lee was intense, right up to the last shot. Avani was in the silver medal position until her final shot, but she scored an impressive 10.5 on her last attempt. Meanwhile, the Korean shooter faltered, scoring only 6.8 on her final shot, finishing with a total score of 246.8.
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Avani Breaks Her Own Record
Avani Lekhara first made her mark at the Tokyo Paralympics at just 19 years old, where she won the gold medal with a score of 249.6, setting a new Paralympic record. Now, at the Paris Paralympics, she has broken her own record by scoring 249.7, making history once again. The silver medalist from the Tokyo Paralympics, China’s Cuiping Zhang, finished last this time.
First Indian Shooter to Win Gold in Two Consecutive Paralympics
Avani Lekhara has become the first Indian shooter to win gold medals in two consecutive Paralympic Games. No other Indian shooter has achieved this feat before. Avani’s journey at the Paralympics 2024 is not over yet, as she will also compete in the women’s 50-meter rifle 3-position event. In this event, she won a bronze medal last time, but this year, she aims to change the color of her medal.