Manish Narwal won India's third gold medal in the ongoing Tokyo Paralympics, delivering a sensational performance.
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The youth of India certainly seems to enjoy special prowess if their performances in the ongoing Tokyo Paralympics are to be taken as a benchmark. 19-year-old Manish Narwal made the nation proud after winning the country’s third gold medal in the prestigious event in Tokyo, scripting a new Paralympics record following a score of 218.2 in the Mixed 50m Pistol SH1 Final. Manish delivered a fantastic performance, with Singhraj Adhana winning the silver to become the third Indian to win two medals in a single edition of the Paralympics. The former further holds a world record score in the Mixed 50m Pistol SH1 event.
Shooter Avani Lekhara scripted history by becoming the first Indian woman to win a gold medal in the history of the Paralympics or even the Olympics. Avani achieved this unique distinction in the Women’s 10m Air Rifle standing SH1 event of the ongoing Tokyo Paralympics, 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, marking the nation’s first gold medal in the ongoing prestigious event. Avani is further the first Indian woman to win multiple medals in the history of the Paralympics. She is also 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.
Participating in the F64 category, Sumit Antil clinched the gold medal with a world record throw of 68.55 meters.
“Neeraj Chopra inspired me & has played a role in my gold medal journey. More people will now pick javelin in India. My coach told me that around 50 players are learning javelin on the same ground where I was the only one to practice javelin,” said Sumit in an interaction with ANI.
“I wanted to touch the 70m mark, but I am very happy with my performance. In one competition, I was able to break the world record thrice. And I was also able to win the gold medal, I cannot express how I am feeling right now, I am just numb, to be honest,” he added.
