Avani Lekhara: 1st Indian woman to win 2 Paralympic medals

Avani Lekhara has become the 1st Indian women to win two Paralympic medals at a single edition of the Paralympics on September 3, 2021.

Key Points

  • Avani Lekhara won a bronze medal in women’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions (SH1) event.
  • She made history with a third-place finish.
  • She had become the first Indian woman to win gold in women’s 10m Air Rifle Standing (SH1) event at the ongoing Paralympics.
  • made more history on Friday with a third-place finish in the 50m Rifle 3 Positions event.

Background

In the 1984 Paralympics, Joginder Singh Sodhi had won multiple medals in single edition of the Games. He clinched one silver and two bronze medals.

Avani Lekhara

She is an Indian Paralympian and rifle shooter who won a gold medal in 10m air rifle standing as well as a bronze medal in 50m air rifle standing at 2020 Paralympics. She is currently ranked at World No 5 in Women’s 10m Air Rifle standing SH1. GoSports Foundation has been supporting her through the Para Champions Programme. She became the first Indian woman to win multiple medals at a single Paralympic Games.

Background

She started her shooting in 2015 after getting inspired by former Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra.  In 2012, a car accident at the age of 11 left her with complete paraplegia. Then, her father encouraged her to join sports. She was trained in archery but she moved to shooting as she found it to be her true passion. Coach Suma Shirur is the key influence behind her success at Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.


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