Avani Lekhara won the top prize three days after her coach and escort were denied visas and she was on danger of missing the competition.
Avani Lekhara, the Tokyo Paralympics winner, won gold in the Para Shooting World Cup on Tuesday in Chateauroux, France, with a world record score of 250.6 in the women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1.
The 20-year-old shooter shattered her own world record of 249.6 to qualify for the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris.
Emilia Babska of Poland won silver with a score of 247.6, while Anna Normann of Sweden took bronze with a score of 225.6.
The SH1 category is for athletes competing in rifle events who have a lower limb handicap.
Lekhara won the top prize three days after her coach and escort were denied visas and she was on the danger of missing the event.
The matter was eventually addressed thanks to the Sports Authority of India and the Sports Ministry’s assistance.
“Proud to bring home the gold in the R2 10M Air Rifle SH1 event at the Chateauroux2022, with a WR score and India’s first Paris2024 Quota.” This is my first international event since the @paralympics. “Thank you so much to everyone who has backed me up!” she said on Twitter.
Proud to bring home the🥇in the R2 10M Air Rifle SH1 event with a WR score & 🇮🇳s 1st #Paris2024 Quota, at the #Chateauroux2022. My 1st Int. event since the @paralympics. A big thank you to everyone who has supported me! @narendramodi @ianuragthakur @ParalympicIndia @Media_SAI https://t.co/mrtrrR2Qif pic.twitter.com/QF3A3vyupW
— Avani Lekhara अवनी लेखरा PLY (@AvaniLekhara) June 7, 2022
“Avani Lekhara, the new R2 – women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 WorldRecord holder.”
Lekhara won gold in the 10m air rifle standing event in the SH1 category at the Tokyo Paralympics in August of last year. She then won bronze in the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions SH1 event, becoming the first Indian woman to win multiple Paralympic medals.
