Who is Avani Lekhara? The first Indian woman to win two Paralympic gold

NEW DELHI: Avani Lekhara, a 22-year-old Indian athlete, made history on Friday by becoming the first Indian woman to secure two Paralympic gold medals. She achieved this remarkable feat by winning the women's 10m air rifle (SH1) event, surpassing her own record of 249.6 set in the Tokyo Paralympics.

Avani's compatriot, Mona Agarwal, also made a strong showing, claiming the bronze medal with a score of 228.7.

Avani's journey to the top has been nothing short of inspiring. At the age of 11, she was left paralyzed below the waist following a car accident. Despite the challenges she faced, Avani persevered and became the first woman shooter from India to win medals in shooting at the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021.



The SH1 category in shooting is designed for athletes who have movement affected in their arms, lower trunk, legs, or have no limbs.

In the qualification round, Avani demonstrated her exceptional skills by shooting a score of 625.8, securing the second position behind Iryna Shchetnik, who set a new Paralympic qualification record with a score of 627.5.

Mona, a two-time World Cup gold medallist making her Paralympic debut, also performed admirably, shooting 623.1 and entering the final in fifth place.


Who is Avani Lekhara?
Hailing from Jaipur, Rajasthan, Avani's journey exemplifies resilience, determination, and an unwavering pursuit of excellence. Following a life-changing road accident in 2012 that left her wheelchair-bound, Avani's father encouraged her to explore sports as a form of physical and mental rehabilitation.

Despite the challenges, Avani's indomitable spirit led her to take up archery before transitioning to competitive shooting in 2015, inspired by the achievements of Abhinav Bindra.

Avani's dedication and natural talent quickly propelled her to success, as she accumulated victories at both national and international levels. She set World Records at junior and senior levels, establishing herself as a rising star in para shooting.

Alongside her sporting pursuits, Avani is committed to her academic goals and was enrolled in a five-year law degree program at the University of Rajasthan, highlighting her multifaceted talents and determination to excel in all aspects of life.

The pinnacle of Avani's sporting career came in 2021 when she made history at the Paralympic Games, becoming the first Indian female Paralympian to win two medals-a gold and a bronze-in a single event.

Her triumphs resonated across the nation, and her remarkable achievements have been recognized with prestigious awards such as the Padma Shri and Khel Ratna. These honours celebrate her sporting success and stand as a testament to her perseverance, courage, and ability to overcome adversity.