Indian para shooter Avani Lekhara, who won a historic gold medal, is focused on winning more medals at the Paris Paralympics and says she wants to finish on the podium in her remaining two events as well. Avani on Friday became the first Indian to win two consecutive Paralympic gold medals in the women’s 10m air rifle (SH1) shooting event.
22-year-old Avni, who won gold at the Tokyo Paralympics three years ago, scored a brilliant 249.7 points, breaking her own Paralympic record of 249.6 set three years ago. Avni said after the historic victory, “It was a very close final. There was very little difference for first, second and third place. But I was focusing on my thoughts rather than the results. “
This champion shooter said, “I am happy that this time too the first national anthem played in the arena was the national anthem of India. I still have to participate in two more events, so I am focused on winning more medals for the country.” Mona Agarwal, who won bronze medal with Avni, said, “It was very difficult but I succeeded. So thank you. Being with Avni definitely helped. She is a champion and she inspires me. ”
Mona (37) had tried her hand at several sports including shot put, powerlifting and wheelchair volleyball before taking up shooting. She managed to win the bronze medal with 228.7 points. This is the first time in India’s Paralympic history that two shooters have won medals in the same event. The SH1 category includes players who have deformities in their arms, lower back, legs or do not have arms.
