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Avani Lekhara, after a car mishap, was paralysed below the waist when she was 11-years-old. (Pic Credit: IG/avani.lekhara)
Suma Shirur was a happy coach Avani Lekhara defended her Gold medal with a Paralympic record at Paris 2024.
Avani Lekhara and Mona Agarwal claimed gold and bronze respectively in the Women’s 10m Air Rifle SH-1 at the 2024 Paris Paralympics on Friday.
“Many congratulations to all of us! Back-to-back golds in consecutive Paralympics for India’s Golden Girl, Avani Lekhara. Respect for her incredible achievement. Two Indian para shooters, including Avani, qualified for the finals in the R2 – Women’s 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 event. Avani has been training at Lakshya Shooting Club since 2018, and Mona Agarwal also did a fantastic job, winning the bronze. What a team – Champion Avani and Lakshya Shooting Club.” – Coach Suma Shirur as Avani Lakhera wins Gold and Mona Agarwal wins Bronze Medal.
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Avani has been training with Suma Sirur since 2018 at Lakshya Shooting Club. She travels to train with Suma in Navi Mumbai 3-4 times in a year.
ALSO READ | Avani Lekhara Wins Gold With Paralympic Record in Women’s 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 Event in Paris
Avani also performed brilliantly in the Paralympic Games 2020 played in Tokyo and won the gold medal in the 10m Air Rifle SH-1 event. She also got bronze in the 50m rifle. She became the first female para-athlete from India to win two medals in the same edition of the Paralympics. Thereafter, she also won the gold medal in the Para Shooting World Cup.
Inspired by the achievements of Abhinav Bindra, Avani transitioned to competitive shooting in 2015. Her dedication and natural talent quickly propelled her to success, as she accumulated victories at both national and international levels. She made history by setting World Records at junior and senior levels, establishing herself as a rising star in para shooting.
Avani has so far received many awards including Padma Shri, Major Dhyanchand Khel Ratna, Young Indian of the Year, and Para Athlete of the Year. Industrialist Anand Mahindra also gifted her a special XUV-700 customised for her.
The Rajasthan government appointed her to the post of ACF in the Forest Department. Further, she has also been announced as the brand ambassador of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign under the Women and Child Development Department.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the duo for their strong outing in the Paralympic Games.
“Congratulations to Mona Agarwal on winning the Bronze medal in the R2 Women 10m Air Rifle SH1 event at the Paris Paralympics 2024! Her remarkable achievement reflects her dedication and quest for excellence. India is proud of Mona,” PM Modi wrote on X.
“India opens its medal account in the Paralympics 2024! Congratulations to Avani Lekhara for winning the coveted Gold in the R2 Women 10M Air Rifle SH1 event. She also creates history as she is the 1st Indian woman athlete to win 3 Paralympic medals! Her dedication continues to make India proud,” he added.
(With inputs from Agencies)
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