New Delhi: Para-shooters Avani Lekhara and Mona Agarwal opened India’s medal tally at the Paris Paralympics 2024 on Thursday. In the final of women’s 10m air rifle SH1 event, Avani won gold medal, defending her title from Tokyo three years ago, while Mona claimed the bronze.
Avani bettered her own Paralympic record of 249.6 (achieved in Tokyo three years ago) with a total score of 249.7 in the final at the Chateauroux Shooting Center in the French capital. Mona accumulated 228.7 from her 22 shots before she settled for the third position, leaving Avani and South Korea’s Lee Yunri to decide the gold medallist.
In the decisive round, the Indian youngster shot 9.9 and 10.5 while Lee crumbled under pressure with 10.7 and 6.8 shots to take her total score to 246.8 and finish at the second spot.
🏅 Gold Medal Glory! 🏅
Avani Lekhara shines bright as she clinches the gold medal in the R2 Women 10m Air Rifle SH1 event with a record-breaking score of 249.7.
A truly remarkable performance that makes the entire nation proud! 🇮🇳✨#GoldMedal #Champion #ParaShooting… pic.twitter.com/5hESkSgu4v
— Paralympic Committee of India (@PCI_IN_Official) August 30, 2024
Avani Lekhara was one of the prominent names to win gold at the Paris Paralympics given her consistency at international events. The 22-year-old is from Rajasthan and a tragedy at the age of 11 turned her life upside down. A car accident in 2012 left her paralysed from downside of waist.
But thanks to her parents for their courage as they motivated Avani to take up shooting from wheelchair. Although Avani was fond of archery in 2015, it was shooting that brought her glory. It was 2008 Beijing Olympics gold medallist Abhinav Bindra who inspired and encouraged Avani to take up shooting. After several national and international titles, she turned into a reckoning force in the world of para-shooting.
Avani is the only Indian woman to win gold medal at the Paralympics since its inception in 1960, and now she has two of them.
GOLD 🥇 For INDIA 🇮🇳
Avani Lekhara wins gold medal in the Women’s 10m air Rifle SH1 event with a score of 249.7 🙌#Paris2024 #Cheer4Bharat #Paralympics2024 @mansukhmandviya @MIB_India @PIB_India @IndiaSports @ParalympicIndia @PCI_IN_Official @Media_SAI @AkashvaniAIR… pic.twitter.com/mcFf6gxQ1t
— Doordarshan Sports (@ddsportschannel) August 30, 2024
Mona Agarwal’s gritty journey
Mona Agarwal is on the other side of the age to Avani. The 37-year-old para-shooter qualified for the Summer Games based on series of performances at international events. She also competed in the SH1 category after suffering a lower limb impairment during her childhood.
🥉 Bronze Brilliance! 🥉
Mona Agarwal secures the bronze medal in the R2 Women 10m Air Rifle SH1 event, showcasing her incredible skill and determination.
A proud moment for India on the global stage! 🇮🇳💪#BronzeMedal #ParaShooting #MachaDhoom #Cheer4Bharat #Paris2024… pic.twitter.com/vYbCshvkqv
— Paralympic Committee of India (@PCI_IN_Official) August 30, 2024
Mona is also from Rajasthan (in Sikar city). She wasn’t able to walk due to a polio ailment. Encouraged by her grandmother, Mona went to Jaipur from Sikar without completing her education to pursue para-sports. She started with para-athletics as she was restricted to wheelchair just like Avani.
She participated in state-level tournaments in javelin throw, shot put throw, discus throw and powerlifting. In the middle of 21, the Rajasthan sportsperson decided to switch to shooting after not her body wasn’t comfortable with the meticulous training requirements. She has also tried her hand in volleyball.
She joined coach Yogesh Shekhawat at his Eklavya Sports Shooting academy in Jaipur, as per Times of India report. Mona scrambles through the stairs by dragging her body to reach the academy, which is based on first floor, due to unavailability of lift.
Mona is married to Ravindra Chaudhary, a national para basketball player from Jaipur. The pair met at a athletics meet in 2017 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. The couple are parents to a daughter (five years old) and a son (three years old), as per Times of India report.
Para-shooters Avani Lekhara and Mona Agarwal opened India’s medal tally at the Paris Paralympics 2024 on Thursday. In the final of women’s 10m air rifle SH1 event, Avani won gold medal, defending her title from Tokyo three years ago, while Mona claimed the bronze. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
