Avani Lekhara

This segment acknowledged sustained excellence over the past decade, highlighting athletes who have consistently represented India at the highest level and delivered results across global competitions.

The Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) celebrated India's top athletes in Lucknow, honouring excellence and dedication. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath presented awards to sporting legends like Leander Paes and the women's World Cup-winning cricket team, recognizing their significant contributions to Indian sports.

Shooter Samrat Rana and cricketer Smriti Mandhana were crowned Sportspersons of the Year at the TOISA 2025 awards in Lucknow. Javelin thrower Sumit Antil and archer Sheetal Devi also received top honours in the para category. The ceremony celebrated India's sporting achievements across numerous disciplines, recognising outstanding performances throughout 2025.

India's sporting elite converges in Lucknow for the Times of India Sports Awards, honouring a decade of excellence and the past year's achievements. The prestigious event, attended by legends and led by a distinguished jury, celebrates athletes across over 45 categories, including a significant focus on para-sports, recognizing outstanding performances and emerging talents who have made the nation proud.

Indian shooter avani lekhara created history by winning the gold medal at the Paralympics. Now, Bollywood celebrities have taken to their social handles to congratulate the winner for creating history. The 19-year-old became the first woman from India to win a Paralympics gold medal. She finished with a Paralympic Record and in-process equalled the World Record with 249.6 points. She won the gold in the women's R2 -- 10m Air Rifle standing SH1 event.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday congratulated avani lekhara after she bagged a gold medal with a world record score of 250.6 in Women's 10m Air Rifle standing SH1 at the Chateauroux Para Shooting World Cup to secure a place at the Paris Paralympics 2024.

The eighth Times of India Sports Awards will honor India's top athletes on March 21, 2026, in Lucknow. TOISA 2025 recognizes achievements from January 1 to December 31, 2025, across over 45 categories. The para shooting nominees showcase exceptional performances, including multiple medal wins and world rankings, highlighting their dedication and excellence on the global stage.

The Indian sports fraternity went all out to congratulate 10m air rifle shooter avani lekhara who became the first woman from the country to win a Paralympic gold with a world record score of 249.6 in the finals, at the Tokyo Paralympic Games on Monday.

Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Neeraj Chopra and silver medalist Mirabai Chanu congratulated avani lekhara on clinching gold at the ongoing Paralympic Games on Monday.

avani lekhara and Mona Agarwal have moved to the final round of the women's 10m air rifle standing SH1 event at the Paralympics. Mona finished the qualification with 623.1 points in fifth place, and Avani with 625.8 points in second place. Despite initial challenges, both exhibited strong performances, with Mona excelling under pressure in the final series.

A 10-member shooting contingent, including rifle exponent avani lekhara, Mona Agarwal and Narwal, will compete at the Chateauroux Centre near Paris from August 30. India had won two gold, a silver and two bronze medals at the Tokyo Paralympics.

Indian para shooter avani lekhara wins gold in the women's 10m air rifle final at the Paris Paralympics. Her journey is praised by double Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker. Adding to India's accolades, Mona Agarwal won bronze in the same event, and Manish Narwal and Preeti Pal secured medals in men's 10m air pistol and 100-meter T35 events respectively.

Shooter avani lekhara who impressed everyone by winning a gold medal at the Tokyo Paralympics has now left people spellbound with her singing prowess.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared the Pariksha Pe Charcha 2025 episode discussing exam stress with sports icons like boxer MC Mary Kom, para-badminton player Suhas L Yathiraj, and paralympic rifle shooter avani lekhara. The athletes shared personal stories of overcoming pressure and setbacks.

avani lekhara, at 22, became the first Indian woman to clinch two Paralympic golds, setting a new record in the women’s 10m air rifle (SH1) event at Paris 2024. This achievement follows her earlier gold at the Tokyo Paralympics. Her journey from a devastating car accident at 11 to national and international acclaim is truly remarkable.

The Paralympic Committee of India has recommended the names of shooter Manish Narwal, high jumper Sharad Kumar, shuttler Pramod Bhagat and javelin-thrower Sundar Singh Gurjar for Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2021.

Earlier, Bollywood stars, including Kareena Kapoor Khan, Sonali Bendre, Rakul Preet Singh, Ayushmann Khurrana, and Sonu Sood, have also joined in the celebrations, praising the dedication and hard work of the para-athletes. avani lekhara defended her Paralympic gold , Mona Agarwal won bronze, Manish Narwal secured silver and Preeti Pal made history with bronze.

avani lekhara clinched gold in the Women's 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 final at the Paris Paralympic Games 2024. Debutant Mona Agarwal won bronze, and Manish Narwal earned silver in the men's event. Preethi Pal set a landmark by taking bronze in the Women's T25-100m event. Bollywood celebrities congratulated the athletes.

The state government has appointed gold medalist avani lekhara as the brand ambassador for Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign in Rajasthan. State minister for women and child development Mamta Bhupesh wrote a letter to Lehkara in this connection.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated avani lekhara and Mona Agarwal for their achievements at the Paris Paralympics in the women's 10m air rifle final. Avani won gold and Mona secured bronze, making it a significant moment for India. Modi lauded their dedication and contribution, expressing pride in their performances.

Indian Paralympic athletes were warmly welcomed at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport following their record-breaking success at the Paris Paralympics. avani lekhara and Mona Agarwal were among those celebrated, with Lekhara winning gold in the women's 10m air rifle final. India achieved its highest-ever medal count of 27, including six golds.

India secured two medals each - a silver and a bronze - in both the men's high jump T63 and javelin throw F46 events, as all five of the country’s podium finishes on Tuesday at the Paralympics came from para-athletics.

Tokyo Paralympics gold and bronze medallist avani lekhara on Sunday stated the podium finish at the Games was not just for her but also for those who dare to dream. Avani won the gold in the 10m air rifle SH1 event and bronze in the Women's 50m air rifle 3 positions SH1 event.

Tokyo Paralympics champion avani lekhara won gold at the Para Shooting World Cup with a world record score of 250.6 in women's 10m air rifle standing SH1 in Chateauroux, France on Tuesday.

Amitabh Bachchan hosted ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’ 16 with Paralympic champions Navdeep Singh, Sumit Antil, and avani lekhara. Avani fondly reminisces about her favorite film 'Bhootnath.' Bachchan notes the director's suggestion to consider re-releasing the beloved movie.

Pariksha Pe Charcha 2025, set for February 10 in New Delhi, features PM Narendra Modi interacting with students about exam stress and career choices. Key influencers like Sadhguru and Deepika Padukone will address mental health and stress management. The event will host 2,500 students, and top participants may visit the Prime Minister's residence.

The forest authorities of Uttarakhand are organizing their first-ever sports competition to promote fitness among their staff. Inspired by para-medalists from Rajasthan and foresters like avani lekhara, the authorities aim to increase staff participation in sports on a global platform. The three-day competition will include over 400 foresters, including Indian Forest Service officers, and will feature various sports categories. The event will also include a cultural evening to promote local traditions and cuisine. The competition will conclude with a pledge to conserve the environment.

PM Modi will interact with over 3 crore students today in the eighth edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The event features Mary Kom, Deepika Padukone, avani lekhara, and Sadhguru, who will guide students on exams, stress, and careers. It will be streamed on social media and telecast on Doordarshan.