Avani Lekhara became the first Indian woman to win two medals in a single edition of the Paralympics, by clinching the bronze in women's 50m Rifle 3 Positions SH1 event.
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India’s Avani Lekhara is now the first Indian woman to win multiple medals in the history of the Paralympics. She is further the only Indian woman to win two medals in the same edition of the Paralympics. The shooter achieved the unique distinction after winning a bronze medal in the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions SH1 event of the ongoing Tokyo Paralympics.
Avani had finished second, a point behind Sweden’s Anna Normann in the qualification. The Swedish shooter and the 19-year-old both had bettered the previous qualification world record with some fantastic shooting. Avani had struggled a bit in the kneeling position during the qualification round, but found her range in the prone and standing to improve her position.
The Indian shooter was slow to get off the mark in the final, scoring a 9.8 and 9.7 in her first two shots. However, she made amends for the same soon, recording a 10.9 in her fourth shot.
Avani struggled to get going in the third series in kneeling position, registering only one shot out of 5 in the over 10-point mark. Her scores steadily improved in the prone position, shooting a 51.5, 51.4 and 51.0. However, this was only good enough to see her switching between fifth and sixth place with the other shooters delivering a better display.
The Indian shooter however made a soaring comeback when expected to perform in the standing position, with other shooters in the final struggling in the same. Avani was closely trailing Ukraine’s Iryna Shchetnik who was placed third when the elimination stage started.
While the Indian shooter recorded a 10.3 to surpass the Ukrainian into third, Shchetnik shot a 10.4 as compared to 10.2 for the 19-year-old to regain the third slot. Avani trailed Shchetnik by just 0.2 points with four shooters left and elimination looming. The Indian shooter held her nerves in this scenario to shoot a 10.5 as compared to the Ukrainian who could only manage a 9.9.
This resulted in Iryna being eliminated, assuring India of another medal. However, Avani was unable to surpass Cuiping Zhang of China who won the gold and Germany’s Natascha Hiltrop who clinched silver, due to a major gap. The 19-year-old finished with a 10.2 to take home the bronze.
Avani had earlier scripted history by becoming the first Indian woman to win a gold medal in the history of the Paralympics or even the Olympics. The Indian shooter achieved this unique distinction in the Women’s 10m Air Rifle standing SH1 event, delivering a sensational performance.
The 19-year-old emerged victorious with a total score of 249.6, equalling the current world record. She further scripted a new landmark in the history of the Paralympics, following her sensational tally registered under pressure. Avani’s 249.6 marks the highest score ever recorded in shooting in the prestigious ongoing event, showcasing her brilliance when it mattered the most. The 19-year-old helped India record its first-ever medal in shooting in the history of the Paralympics.
