Next part of Avani's journey would be getting a bit more independent: Coach Suma Shirur

JAIPUR: The emotions and excitement around winning a historic gold on Friday evening has not yet sunk in, but Avani Lekhara already has her focus on the upcoming two events. After clinching the gold in the individual 10m air rifle standing SH1 event, the 22-year-old wheelchair-bound shooter will club with Sidhartha Babu in mixed 10m air rifle prone SH1 event to be held on Sunday. Next she will be seen in action on September 3 in 50m rifle 3 positions event with Mona Agarwal, the bronze medallist in 10m event at Paris.

Avani's personal coach Suma Shirur feels that her outstanding performance in the final will help in the remaining events. "I am relieved and happy. I wanted her to get some medal on the first day as it takes the pressure off as she has two events to go," she said.

Avani entered Paris as a defending champion and she had a task on hand, and she lived up to the expectations, proving what made her a ‘medal prospect' in the 2024 Games. In the process, she even did not let her gallbladder surgery become an obstacle for her.

"I was continuously talking to her. Avani needs a lot of support. It was only after the sighters of the actual final that she was on her own. Otherwise throughout there was a lot of conversation, confidence building as this time she was under a lot more pressure than in Tokyo. It is always harder when you are defending the title. And like I mentioned, her operation took two precious months out of her training. So getting back she needed a lot of confidence and courage. On Friday she shot with a tremendous amount of will-power and I am very proud of her," shared former shooter and chief coach (rifle) at Paris Olympics Shirur.

The Jaipur shooter's life changed dramatically after gold medal finish at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics. Fame and money, she has seen it all. What impact will the Paris gold have on her life?

"Avani's life right now is walking the path of an athlete. It's a beautiful life. She would definitely walk down this path for the next couple of years. But post Paris, the next part of her journey would be getting a bit more independent. But in our country it's not easy because we don't have a system in place that is para-friendly, we don't have public places which are wheelchair-friendly. It's hard that way. But in life she would want to be more independent," Shirur added.

The coach is of the belief that the Avani's success will inspire many to come out of their shell.

Mona, who shared the podium with Avani a couple of days ago, has been inspired by her, and it sends out an important message. "I feel so proud to be a part of her journey. Her journey is going to inspire many people in the country. In Tokyo she was the only one. And now from Rajasthan itself we have another shooter Mona (Agarwal) who uses a wheelchair, who is in Paris, and has won a medal. It's a story of how one girl has inspired another. I hope this chain continues and we have many more para-athletes and women in general, coming out of their shell to chase their dreams," Shirur said.


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