Avani Lekhara Clinches Second Consecutive Paralympic Gold in Women’s 10m Air Rifle
NEW DELHI: Star para shooter Avani Lekhara made history by winning her second consecutive Paralympic gold in the women’s 10m air rifle (SH1) event in Chateauroux. The day also saw Preethi Pal securing India’s first track medal at the Paralympics.
Avani’s remarkable journey to gold began with her stellar performance in the women’s 10m air rifle (SH1) category, where she scored 249.7, breaking her own previous Paralympic record of 249.6 set during the 2021 Summer Paralympics in Japan.
In a close competition, Avani narrowly surpassed Korea’s Lee Yunri, who secured the silver with a score of 246.8. Another Indian, Mona Agarwal, also clinched a bronze medal in the same event as Avani, making it a double podium finish for India.
Avani’s victory makes her the first Indian to win two consecutive Paralympic gold medals. Despite facing health challenges, including a gallbladder surgery in March that required a break from training, she persevered and trained diligently to achieve this historic feat.
After her win, Avani expressed her focus on the process rather than the result, showcasing her determination and mental strength. She remains committed to winning more medals for the country in the upcoming events.
Manish Narwal also added to India’s medal tally by securing a silver in the men’s 10m air pistol (SH1) final, while Preethi Pal won a bronze in the women’s 100m (T35) event with a personal best performance.
These exceptional performances placed India in the 10th spot in the overall standings, ahead of countries like Japan and Korea. Mona Agarwal, who also secured a bronze, overcame societal prejudices and challenges to reach the Paralympic podium, showcasing resilience and determination.
With Avani, Mona, Manish, and Preethi’s remarkable achievements, India celebrated significant success in Paris. Avani’s dedication and training paid off, highlighting the strength and spirit of Indian para-athletes.
Manish Narwal Falls Short of Gold
Despite a strong effort, Manish Narwal, a gold medallist from the Tokyo Games, settled for silver after shooting 234.9 at the recent competition. His determination and skill were evident as he climbed from fifth place to the top, only to narrowly miss the gold due to a series of poor shots.
Preethi Pal Makes History in Track Event
Preethi Pal created history by winning India’s first athletics medal in a Paralympics track event. She secured a bronze in the women’s T35 100m competition with a personal best time of 14.21 seconds. Her journey from facing physical challenges since birth to achieving this milestone is a testament to her perseverance.
Strong Performances in Badminton and Archery
In other events, Nitesh Kumar shone in para-badminton, defeating China’s Yang Jianyuan to secure a spot in the semifinals with his remarkable skills. Seasoned archer Rakesh Kumar also began his campaign on a winning note, showcasing talent and determination.
With outstanding performances across various disciplines, Indian para-athletes continue to inspire and make the nation proud on the global stage.
